Rolled article, and method of and apparatus for processing rolled article

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for processing a rolled article has a rotary supporting mechanism for rotatably supporting opposite ends of a photosensitive roll, an end drawing mechanism for drawing a sheet end of the photosensitive roll to a prescribed length, a pressing mechanism for supporting opposite surfaces of the sheet end, and an applying mechanism for applying a joint tape to the sheet end supported by the pressing mechanism in a transverse direction of the photosensitive roll.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rolled article comprising a roll ofelongate sheet, and a method of and an apparatus for processing such arolled article.

2. Description of the Related Art

Films for use in the field of platemaking are in the form of alight-shielded photosensitive roll comprising an elongate photosensitivesheet wound around a core, a pair of light-shielding members mountedrespectively on the opposite ends of the wound photosensitive sheet, anda light-shielding sheet (leader) wound around the photosensitive sheet.

Various light-shielded photosensitive rolls have heretofore beenproposed in the art. The applicant of the present application has fileda patent application on a process for easily manufacturing such alight-shielded photosensitive roll (see Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication No. 2000-310834).

According to the process disclosed in the above patent application, asshown in FIG. 105 of the accompanying drawings, two disk-shapedlight-shielding members 2 are attached respectively to opposite ends ofa photosensitive roll (rolled article) 1, and an elongateheat-shrinkable light-shielding leader 3 which is longitudinallyshrinkable with heat is wound around the photosensitive roll 1, thelight-shielding leader 3 having an end fixed to the photosensitive roll1 by tapes 4. Then, the photosensitive roll 1 is placed in a shrinktunnel and heated to shrink the light-shielding leader 3. Thelight-shielding leader 3 is shrunk with heat to have its opposite edgesbrought into close contact with the outer edges of the disk-shapedlight-shielding members 2, whereupon a light-shielded photosensitiveroll 5 is completed.

The light-shielding leader 3 is joined to the end of the photosensitiveroll 1 by a joint tape 6. Since the end of the photosensitive roll 1 isa free end, it tends to have a different length. In addition, the end ofthe photosensitive roll 1 is liable to curl up or down or sag dependingon the width of the photosensitive roll 1, the thickness of the sheet ofthe photosensitive roll 1, or the type of the photosensitive roll 1.

Because of these irregularities of the end of the photosensitive roll 1,the joint tape 6 may be applied to the end of the photosensitive roll 1in a displaced position, or may be applied obliquely to the end of thephotosensitive roll 1, or wrinkles may be developed in the end of thephotosensitive roll 1. As a result, the light-shielding leader 3 may notbe attached securely to the end of the photosensitive roll 1.

Usually, suction belts and suction pads are used to supply thelight-shielding leader 3 to a position where the light-shielding leader3 will be applied to the photosensitive roll 1. However, the suctionbelts and suction pads tend to fail to position the end of thelight-shielding leader 3 accurately in the applying position, resultingin a reduction in the accuracy with which the light-shielding leader 3is applied to the photosensitive roll 1.

After the light-shielding leader 3 is applied to the end of thephotosensitive roll 1, the light-shielding leader 3 may possibly bewarped when the photosensitive roll 1 is rotated. If the light-shieldingleader 3 is warped, then the light-shielding leader 3 wound around thephotosensitive roll 1 is shifted out of position in its turn.

End tapes 4 are usually supported in an array on a separable strip 7before they are supplied to the light-shielding leader 3. End tapes 4are then successively removed from the separable strip 7 and supplied tothe light-shielding leader 3. According to the conventional process, theend tapes 4 applied to the separable strip 7 may not reliably be removedone by one from the separable strip 7, and hence may not efficiently besupplied to the light-shielding leader 3.

The light-shielding leader 3 is relatively expensive to manufacture.Therefore, rectangular heat-shrinkable members (hereinafter referred toas “skirt members”) are used to cover the opposite ends of thephotosensitive roll 1, and applied to the respective edges of thelight-shielding leader 3.

Skirt members are usually blanked from a blank sheet. The yield of skirtmembers per blank sheet is low because a large amount of scrap isproduced. For better efficiency, blanked skirt members need to becollected and handled together. However, it is difficult to separate,one by one, the skirt members which have been collected and handledtogether, and two or more skirt members may simultaneously be removedfrom the stock of skirt members, with the result that the skirts cannotefficiently be applied to the edges of the light-shielding leader 3.

As shown in FIG. 106 of the accompanying drawings, flanged members 7 maybe mounted respectively in the disk-shaped light-shielding members 2 ofthe photosensitive roll 1 as required by a device which is loaded withthe light-shielded photosensitive roll 5. The disk-shapedlight-shielding members 2 have grooves 2 a in their innercircumferential surfaces, and the flanged members 7 have ridges 7 cextending from tapered tips 7 a to straight barrels 7 b. The flangedmembers 7 are turned to bring the ridges 7 c thereof into alignment withthe grooves 2 a of the disk-shaped light-shielding members 2, and theninserted into the disk-shaped light-shielding members 2, respectively.

Usually, the inside diameter of the disk-shaped light-shielding members2, the outside diameter of the flanged members 7, or the shapes(circularity, etc.) of the disk-shaped light-shielding members 2 and theflanged members 7, are liable to change. When the tapered tips 7 a ofthe flanged members 7 are inserted into the disk-shaped light-shieldingmembers 2 and the flanged members 7 are turned, the ridges 7 c of thetapered tips 7 a move out of the grooves 2 a, so that the tapered tips 7a of the flanged members 7 may be inserted into the disk-shapedlight-shielding members 2 while the ridges 7 c are out of alignment withthe grooves 2 a.

With the ridges 7 c not aligned with the grooves 2 a, the flangedmembers 7 cannot easily be removed from the disk-shaped light-shieldingmembers 2 when the components of the light-shielded photosensitive roll5 are to be reused after the light-shielded photosensitive roll 5 hasbeen used.

Since the disk-shaped light-shielding members 2 and the flanged members7 are engaged with each other under widely different conditions, a largetorque is required to turn the flanged members 7. Therefore, a largetorque generating device for generating a torque required to turn theflanged members 7 is needed, and hence a large device for installing theflanged members 7 is required.

An apparatus for packaging the above light-shielded photosensitive rollis known from Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-129613, forexample. In the known apparatus, as shown in FIG. 107 of theaccompanying drawings, inner seals (light-shielding members) 3 d areapplied to the respective opposite ends of a photographic film roll 2 don a core, and a light-shielding sheet 4 d is wound around thephotographic film roll 2 d. The light-shielding sheet 4 d has side edgeportions 5 d (one shown) projecting outwardly beyond the edges of theinner seals 3 d and folded down against the inner seals 3 d by foldingunits 6 d and heated by heating units 7 d. Each of the folding units 6 dhas folding vanes 8 d which are rotated by a motor, and each of theheating units 7 d has a heating roller 9 d.

When the photographic film roll 2 d is rotated about its own axis in thedirection indicated by the arrow by a rotating mechanism (not shown),the folding vanes 8 d of the folding units 6 d fold down the side edgeportions 5 d of the light-shielding sheet 4 d against the inner seals 3d, and the heating rollers 9 d of the heating units 7 d heat the sideedge portions 5 d, thermally bonding the side edge portions 5 d to theinner seals 3 d.

The conventional packaging apparatus is complex in structure and largein size because of a rotating mechanism for rotating the photographicfilm roll 2 d. The heating rollers 9 d of the heating units 7 d need tobe adjusted in position for processing photographic film rolls 2 dhaving different outside diameters. The heating units 7 d with such apositional adjustment capability are also complex in structure.

Apparatus for manufacturing photosensitive rolls usually have a numberof working stations which are supplied with specification data on shapesand materials of photosensitive rolls for processing workpiecesdepending on the specifications of photosensitive rolls.

When a photosensitive roll is fed from one working station to a nextworking station, the specification data are also transferred to acontroller associated with the next working station. The controlleroperates on the premise that the transferred specification data are thespecification data for the fed photosensitive roll.

If a photosensitive roll manufacturing apparatus performs a complexmanufacturing process and has many working stations, then since there isno guarantee that the specification data will always be transferrednormally, the reliability of the specification data may become lower asthey go to more downstream working stations. When the photosensitiveroll manufacturing apparatus continuously operates under suchconditions, inappropriate photosensitive rolls may possibly bemanufactured, or control devices of the photosensitive rollmanufacturing apparatus may possibly be damaged or otherwisemalfunction.

If trouble arises while a photosensitive roll is being fed and thephotosensitive roll is removed from its pallet, then a photosensitiveroll and specification data supplied to a working station may notcorrespond to each other.

One solution would be for each of the pallets for feeding photosensitiverolls between working stations to be equipped with a memory means forstoring the specification data of a photosensitive roll, so that when apallet arrives at a working station, the working station reads thespecification data stored in the memory means on the pallet. The memorymeans on the pallets allow each working station to operate on the palletappropriately without the danger of data transfer troubles.

However, the memory means on each pallet needs to rewrite the storedspecification data each time a different photosensitive roll is carriedon the pallet. Since the memory means is limited to a certain number ofrewriting cycles, if the pallet is repeatedly used in a mass-productionapplication, then the service life of the memory means is relativelyshort because the stored specification data are rewritten many times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a method ofand an apparatus for processing a rolled article so as to be able toeasily and reliably apply tape members to an end of the rolled articleat given positions thereon, and to well handle changes in the width ofthe rolled article.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of andan apparatus for processing a rolled article so as to be able to wind apackaging sheet well and efficiently around a rolled article in a simpleprocess and with a simple arrangement.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a methodof and an apparatus for processing a rolled article so as to be able toremove end tapes reliably one by one from a separable sheet for therebyefficiently supplying the end tapes in a simple process and with asimple arrangement.

Still another primary object of the present invention is to provide amethod of and an apparatus for processing a rolled article so as to beable to apply skirt members reliably to sheet members for therebyefficiently and automatically processing packaging sheets in a simpleprocess and with a simple arrangement.

Yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide amethod of and an apparatus for processing a rolled article so as to beable to bond a packaging member reliably, with heat, to opposite outercircumferential edges of various rolled articles having differentdiameters, with a simple arrangement.

Still yet another primary object of the present invention is to providea rolled article of a simple arrangement which allows grooves in a firstflanged member and ridges on a second flanged member to be aligned witheach other reliably and easily.

A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a methodof and an apparatus for processing a rolled article so as to be able toallow grooves in a first flanged member and ridges on a second flangedmember to be aligned with each other reliably and easily, for therebyefficiently mounting a flanged structure in a simple process and with asimple arrangement.

A still further primary object of the present invention is to provide amethod of and an apparatus for processing a rolled article highlyreliably so as to be able to transfer specification data of the rolledarticle reliably to working stations while the specification data arebeing used in a number of times in a mass-production application, whenthe rolled article is placed on a pallet and fed between a plurality ofworking stations for being processed therein.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferredembodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrativeexample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic packaging system for carryingout a method of automatically packaging a rolled article according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a photosensitive rollas the rolled article;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a flanged structure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flanged structure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upstream portion of the automaticpackaging system;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pallet;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the relationship between workingstations and a control system thereof;

FIG. 8 is a view showing how pallets are fed in circulation;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a programmable controller;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing data stored in a tracking data memory ofthe programmable controller shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an end drawing station and an applyingstation;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a rotary support mechanism of anend processing device;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the rotary support mechanism andan end drawing mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rotary support mechanism and theend drawing mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pressing mechanism and an applyingmechanism of the end processing device;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the pressing mechanism and theapplying mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the pressing mechanism and theapplying mechanism;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a slide unit of the applying mechanism;

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the slide unit;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a working device;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a skirt member supply unit of theworking device;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a working mechanism of the workingdevice;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the working mechanism;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a skirt member cutting mechanism and askirt member feeding mechanism of the working device;

FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of a gripping means of the workingdevice;

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of a holding means of the workingdevice;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a cutting mechanism of the workingdevice;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a sheet member holding mechanism of theworking device;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a sheet member spacing mechanism of theworking device;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a joining mechanism of the workingdevice;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a light-shielding sheet supply;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of the light-shielding sheet supply;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an end tape supplying and applyingmechanism of the automatic packaging system;

FIG. 34 is a front elevational view of the end tape supplying andapplying mechanism;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a separable sheet bending mechanism ofthe end tape supplying and applying mechanism;

FIG. 36 is a plan view of the separable sheet bending mechanism;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the manner in which first andsecond suction heads of an end tape removing mechanism are lifted;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of a light-shielding leader winding station;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a light-shielding leader feedingmechanism of the automatic packaging system;

FIG. 40 is a front elevational view of the light-shielding leaderfeeding mechanism;

FIG. 41 is a view of a clamp means of the light-shielding leader feedingmechanism;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an applying mechanism of the automaticpackaging system;

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of the applying mechanism;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a light-shielding leader holdingmechanism of the automatic packaging system;

FIG. 45 is a front elevational view of a rotating mechanism and a palletlifting and lowering device of the automatic packaging system;

FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of the rotating mechanism and thepallet lifting and lowering device;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a slide unit of the rotating mechanism;

FIG. 48 is a side elevational view of the slide unit;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a downstream portion of the automaticpackaging system;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a lifting and lowering device of athermally fusing mechanism;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the thermally fusing mechanism;

FIG. 52 is a front elevational view of the thermally fusing mechanism;

FIG. 53 is a side elevational view of the thermally fusing mechanism;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of heating heads of the thermally fusingmechanism;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of a first heating head;

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of a second heating head;

FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of a third heating head;

FIG. 58 is a side elevational view of a hard flanged member insertingdevice, a centering device, a lifting and lowering device, and a flangedmember feeding device;

FIG. 59 is a front elevational view of the hard flanged member insertingdevice, the lifting and lowering device, and the flanged member feedingdevice;

FIG. 60 is a plan view of the hard flanged member inserting device andthe centering device;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a first transferring means;

FIG. 62 is a front elevational view of the first transferring means;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of first and second inserting units of amounting device;

FIG. 64 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of thefirst and second inserting units;

FIG. 65 is a view showing the manner in which an end of a photosensitivesheet is gripped by a gripper;

FIG. 66 is a view showing the manner in which the end of thephotosensitive sheet is drawn by the gripper;

FIG. 67 is a view showing the manner in which a joint tape is woundaround a suction roller;

FIG. 68 is a view showing the manner in which the joint tape is partlyapplied to the end of the photosensitive sheet;

FIG. 69 is a view showing the manner in which the joint tape is appliedto the end of the photosensitive sheet transversely thereacross;

FIG. 70 is a view showing the manner in which the suction roller isdriven after the joint tape is applied to the end of the photosensitivesheet;

FIG. 71 is a view showing the manner in which the joint tape is cut off;

FIG. 72 is a view showing the position of the parts after the joint tapeis cut off;

FIG. 73 is perspective view showing the manner in which a strip-likeskirt member is blanked;

FIG. 74 is perspective view showing the manner in which the strip-likeskirt member is cut off transversely thereacross while it is being heldunder suction;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view showing a joined region;

FIG. 76 is a view showing the manner in which the strip-like skirtmember and a light-shielding sheet are cut off;

FIG. 77 is a view showing the manner in which cut ends of thelight-shielding sheet are spaced from each other;

FIG. 78 is a view showing the manner in which a light-shielding shrinkfilm is applied to the light-shielding sheet;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of another working device;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of still another working device;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of yet another working device;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view showing the manner in which first andsecond pressers are lowered to press adhesive-free areas of endfastening tapes;

FIG. 83 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the endfastening tapes are held under suction by the first and second suctionheads and thereafter retracted;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the endfastening tapes held by the first and second suction heads are fed to alight-shielding sheet;

FIG. 85 is a perspective view showing the manner in which alight-shielding leader is placed in a winding position;

FIG. 86 is a perspective view showing the manner in which thelight-shielding leader is held by a light-shielding leader holdingmechanism;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the applyingmechanism operates;

FIG. 88 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the applyingmechanism operates;

FIG. 89 is a perspective view showing the manner in which thelight-shielding leader holding mechanism operates;

FIG. 90 is a perspective view showing the manner in which thelight-shielding leader is wound;

FIG. 91 is a perspective view showing the manner in which hot airblowers operate;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view showing the manner in which a pallet islifted after the light-shielding leader is applied;

FIG. 93 is a view showing the manner in which the first heating head isplaced in a thermally fusing position;

FIG. 94 is a view showing the manner in which the second heating head isplaced in the thermally fusing position;

FIG. 95 is a view showing the manner in which the third heating head isplaced in the thermally fusing position;

FIG. 96 is a front elevational view of a slide plate having anotherstructure;

FIG. 97 is a view showing the manner in which a second flanged member istransferred from the flanged member feeding device to first and secondtransferring means;

FIG. 98 is a view showing the manner in which the first and secondtransferring means are swung downwardly;

FIG. 99 is a view showing the manner in which the second flanged memberis held by an insertion head;

FIG. 100 is a view showing the manner in which the second flanged memberheld by the insertion head is brought into abutment against a firstflanged member;

FIG. 101 is a view showing the manner in which the insertion head isturned to bring ridges and grooves into alignment with each other;

FIG. 102 is a view showing the manner in which the second flanged memberis inserted into the first flanged member;

FIG. 103 is an exploded perspective view of another flanged structure;

FIG. 104 is a side-elevational view of another flanged member insertingdevice;

FIG. 105 is an exploded perspective view of a conventionalphotosensitive roll;

FIG. 106 is an exploded perspective view of another conventionalphotosensitive roll; and

FIG. 107 is a perspective view of a conventional packaging apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows in block form an automatic packaging system 10 for carryingout a method of automatically packaging a rolled article according to anembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows in explodedperspective view a photosensitive roll 30 to be automatically packagedby the automatic packaging system 10.

The automatic packaging system 10 has various working stations disposedin a dark chamber 11 which include a transfer station ST1 fortransferring a photosensitive roll (rolled article) 12 comprising anelongate photosensitive sheet 14 wound around a core 16 a or 16 b(hereinafter referred to as “core 16 a”), a first flanged memberinserting station ST2 for assembling first flanged members(light-shielding members) 18 a, 18 b, or 18 c (hereinafter referred toas “first flanged members 18 a”) on respective opposite ends of thephotosensitive roll 12, an end drawing station ST3 for drawing an end 14a of the photosensitive sheet 14 to a prescribed length, an applyingstation ST4 for applying a joint tape (tape member) 20 to the end 14 aas drawn to the prescribed length, a light-shielding leader assemblingstation ST5 for applying light-shielding shrink films (skirt members) 24as packaging members to transversely opposite edges of a light-shieldingsheet (sheet member) 26 and applying a pair of end fastening tapes 28 tothe leading end of the light-shielding sheet 26, thus assembling alight-shielding leader (packaging sheet) 22, a light-shielding leaderwinding station ST6 for winding the light-shielding leader 22 around thephotosensitive roll 12 after the light-shielding leader 22 is applied tothe end 14 a, a thermally fusing station ST7 for thermally fusing(bonding) the light-shielding shrink films 24 to respective oppositeouter circumferential edges of the photosensitive roll 12, and areentrant article storage station ST8 for temporarily storing aphotosensitive roll 12 for reentry after the photosensitive roll 12 isremoved from a working station for the reason of some fault or checkingpurpose.

The automatic packaging system 10 also has an inspecting station ST9 forinspecting a light-shielded photosensitive roll 30 manufactured in thedark chamber 11 for its light-shielded state, a second flanged memberinserting station ST10 for inserting hard second flanged members 32 intorespective opposite ends of the light-shielded photosensitive roll 30, alabel applying station ST11 for applying a product label (not shown)printed with product information of the light-shielded photosensitiveroll 30, and a discharging station ST12 for discharging thelight-shielded photosensitive roll 30 to a next working station. Thesestations ST9, ST10, ST11, ST12 are successively arrayed in the directionindicated by the arrow Y along a path extending from the dark chamber 11into a bright chamber 13.

The first flanged member inserting station ST2 is associated with afirst flanged member assembling station ST13 for selecting caps andrings from two types of caps 40 a, 40 b and three types of rings 44 a,44 b, 44 c depending on the diameter of the core of the photosensitiveroll 12 and assembling first flanged members 18 a through 18 c. Thelight-shielding leader assembling station ST5 is associated with aleader feeding station ST14 for feeding out a rolled strip-likelight-shielding sheet (described later on). The second flanged memberinserting station ST10 is associated with a hard flanged membersupplying station ST15 for supplying the second flanged members 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first flanged members 18 a, 18 b, or 18 ccomprise caps 40 a or 40 b to be fitted into the respective ends of acore 16 a or 16 b, and rings 44 a, 44 c, or 44 b heat-sealed torespective flanges 42 a or 42 b of the caps 40 a or 40 b. The core 16 a,16 b have a diameter of 2 inches or 3 inches, for example.

The light-shielding leader 22 comprises a light-shielding sheet 26 andtwo light-shielding shrink films 24 applied to transversely oppositeedges of the light-shielding sheet 26. The light-shielding sheet 26 andthe photosensitive sheet 14 are joined to each other by a joint tape 20.A pair of laterally spaced end fastening tapes 28 is attached to theleading end of the light-shielding sheet 26. The light-shielding leader22 is wound around the photosensitive roll 12 and fastened thereto bythe end fastening tapes 28, thus making up the light-shieldedphotosensitive roll 30. The light-shielding leader 22 and thelight-shielding shrink films 24 may be integrally formed of the materialof the light-shielding shrink films 24.

In the present embodiment, the joint tape 20 has a width H1 of 25 mm,for example, and includes a substantially half portion projecting fromthe end of the photosensitive sheet 14, the substantially half portionhaving a width which is substantially half the width H1, i.e., a widthof 12.5 mm±1 mm. The remaining half portion of the joint tape 20 is tobe bonded to the end of the photosensitive sheet 14 and has a width of12.5 mm. The joint tape 20 has opposite ends spaced inwardly from thetransversely opposite edges of the photosensitive sheet 14 by a distanceT1 in the range from 0 to 10 mm.

The photosensitive roll 12 has a diameter D, the photosensitive sheet 14has a width W1, the light-shielding sheet 26 has a width W2 and a lengthL1, and the light-shielding shrink films 24 each have a width H2 and alength L2. The width W2 is substantially equal to the width W1 (W2≈W1)or slightly greater than the width W1 (W2>W1). The length L2 is relatedto the diameter D by L2>3.14×D, and the lengths L1, L2 are related toeach other by L1>L2+200 mm.

The light-shielding sheet 26 has an end superposed on and bonded to theend 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 by the joint tape 20, the bondedend of the light-shielding sheet 26 having a width of about 20 mm. Thewidth H2 of each of the light-shielding shrink films 24 is set to 25 mm,for example, and the light-shielding shrink films 24 have respectiveouter edges projecting outwardly from the outer edges of thelight-shielding sheet 26 by a distance of 9 mm. The length L1 of thelight-shielding sheet 26 is set to 900 mm, for example, and the lengthL2 of each of the light-shielding shrink films 24 is set to 500 mm or600 mm, for example.

The second flanged member 32 which is harder than the first flangedmember 18 a is inserted into the first flanged member 18 a, making up aflanged structure 52. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first flangedmember 18 a has a plurality of (e.g., six) angularly spaced, axiallyextending grooves 56 defined in an inner circumferential surface 54thereof, and a step 60 of increased diameter disposed on the innercircumferential surface 54 closer to a flange 58 at an end into whichthe second flanged member 32 is to be inserted. The innercircumferential surface 54 has guide recesses 62 defined therein whichextend obliquely from the step 60 toward the respective ends of thegrooves 56 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in which the secondflanged member 32 is rotated upon insertion into the first flangedmember 18 a.

The second flanged member 32 has, on an outer circumferential surfacethereof, a tapered tip 64 which is progressively smaller in diametertoward the tip end thereof in a direction in which the second flangedmember 32 is inserted into the first flanged member 18 a, and a straightbarrel 66 contiguous from a larger-diameter end of the tapered tip 64.The second flanged member 32 also has, disposed on the straight barrel66, a plurality of (e.g., six) angularly spaced, axially extendingridges 68 extending axially along the straight barrel 66 toward a flange70 in alignment with the grooves 56. The ridges 68 have respectivestraight end faces 68 a spaced axially from the smaller-diameter tip endof the tapered tip 64 toward the straight barrel 66 by a given distanceH3 smaller than the full length of the tapered tip 64, i.e., positionedsubstantially at the larger-diameter end of the tapered tip 64, andextending radially outwardly to respective radial positionscorresponding to the diameter of the step 60 of the first flanged member18 a.

As shown in FIG. 5, a succession of photosensitive rolls 12 are fed inthe direction indicated by the arrow Y by a feed device 80. The feeddevice 80 has pallets 86 supported on feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b forplacing photosensitive rolls 12 thereon. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, eachof the pallets 86 has a pair of support bases 100 a, 100 b disposed onan upper surface thereof, with the photosensitive roll 12 placed on thesupport bases 100 a, 100 b.

As shown in FIG. 6, a memory medium (identification data memory means,read-only memory element) 138 for storing identification data inherentin the pallet 86 is disposed on the pallet 86. The memory medium 138 maycomprise a data carrier or an IC memory which is capable of electricallyrecording identification data and can be accessed from an externalcircuit to read recorded identification data. The pallet 86 is printedwith an identification number 140 thereof which corresponds to theidentification data and which can visually be recognized by theoperator.

Each of the working stations at which the pallet 86 arrives has a datareader (identification data reading means) 142 for reading theidentification data stored in the recording medium 138, and a workpiecedetector (workpiece detecting means) 144 for detecting whether there isa photosensitive roll 12 or a light-shielded photosensitive roll 30 onthe pallet 86 or not.

FIG. 7 shows in block form the relationship between the working stationsfor manufacturing light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30 fromphotosensitive rolls 12 supplied from the dark chamber 11, and a controlsystem thereof. FIG. 8 shows how pallets are fed in circulation.

Control devices in the working stations are controlled by programmablecontrollers PLC1 through PLC6 having respective control consoles C1through C6. The control consoles C1 through C4 and the programmablecontrollers PLC1 through PLC4 may be installed in the dark chamber 11insofar as light emitted from display means of the control consoles C1through C4 and the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC4 does notadversely affect the photosensitive material.

The programmable controller PLC1 controls the transfer station ST1, theprogrammable controller PLC2 controls the first flanged member insertingstation ST2, the programmable controller PLC3 controls the end drawingstation ST3 and the applying station ST4, the programmable controllerPLC4 controls the light-shielding leader winding station ST6 and thethermally fusing station ST7, the programmable controller PLC5 controlsthe inspecting station ST9 and the second flanged member insertingstation ST10, and the programmable controller PLC6 controls the labelapplying station ST11, the discharging station ST12, and a reentrantarticle label printing unit 168. The reentrant article label printingunit 168 issues a reentrant article label to be applied to a reentrantphotosensitive roll 12 which is removed from any of the working stationsor a photosensitive roll 12 which is judged as being defective. Of theseprogrammable controllers PLC1 through PLC6, the programmable controllerPLC1 is connected to a management computer 170. The programmablecontrollers PLC1 through PLC6 are connected to each other through a busline 171.

FIG. 9 shows in block form each of the programmable controllers PLC1through PLC6. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the programmable controllersPLC1 through PLC6 comprises an input/output unit 172 for sending data toand receiving data from the management computer 170 and the otherprogrammable controllers, an input/output unit 174 for sending data toand receiving data from the control devices in the working stations, acontrol unit 176 for controlling the data and performing a controlprocess according to a given control program, a program memory 177 forstoring operating programs for the control devices in the workingstations which are connected to the programmable controllers PLC1through PLC6, and a tracking data memory (identificationdata/specification data association memory means) 178 for storingtracking data which are specification data relative to photosensitiverolls 12 or light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30 which are fed to theworking stations that are controlled by the programmable controllersPLC1 through PLC6.

FIG. 10 illustrates data stored in the tracking data memory 178 of theprogrammable controller PLC1 which controls the transfer station ST1.The tracking data memory 178 of the programmable controller PLC1 hasdata areas M1 through M30 corresponding to respective pallets 86 thatare used between the transfer station ST1 through the dischargingstation ST12. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that 30 pallets86 are in service at all times. Each of the tracking data memories 178of the other programmable controllers PLC2 through PLC6 has data areasM1 through M30 relative to pallets 86 that are fed to the workingstations controlled by the programmable controllers PLC2 through PLC6.

The data areas M1 through M30 store pallet number data (identificationdata), in the order of 1 through 30, for example, of pallets 86corresponding to an identification number 140. The data areas M1 throughM30 also store, in connection with the pallet number data, specificationdata relative to photosensitive rolls 12 or light-shieldedphotosensitive rolls 30 carried on the pallets 86. The specificationdata include instruction data for the control devices, block number/slitnumber data, reentrant data, product name data, lot number data,effective term data, trouble code data, width data, diameter data, typedata, winding direction data, and work attribute data managingattributes of photosensitive rolls 12 or light-shielded photosensitiverolls 30.

The block number data are data specifying regions where photosensitiverolls 12 are cut from a wide film roll (not shown) in its longitudinaldirection. The slit number data are data specifying regions wherephotosensitive rolls 12 are cut from a wide film roll (not shown) in itstransverse direction. The reentrant data are data which are set when aphotosensitive roll 12 or a light-shielded photosensitive roll 30 whichhas been removed from the production line is repaired if necessary andreentered into the production line. The trouble code data are datarepresenting defect details when a photosensitive roll 12 or alight-shielded photosensitive roll 30 which has been inspected is judgedas a defective product. The width data are data representing widths ofphotosensitive rolls 12, and the diameter data are data representingdiameters of photosensitive rolls 12. The type data are datarepresenting the type of an emulsion or the like used in thephotosensitive material. The winding direction data are datarepresenting the direction in which the emulsion surfaces ofphotosensitive rolls 12 face.

The workpiece attribute data are data managing working states ofphotosensitive rolls 12 or light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30. Forexample, the workpiece attribute data include data representing whetherphotosensitive rolls 12 or light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30 havebeen worked upon in the working stations, whether photosensitive rolls12 or light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30 are defective or not in theworking stations, and whether there are photosensitive rolls 12 orlight-shielded photosensitive rolls 30 in the working stations.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the automatic packaging system 10 has a tapemember applying device 630 for automatically applying the joint tape 20to the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14. The tape member applyingdevice 630 comprises a rotary support mechanism 632 disposed in the enddrawing station ST3 for rotatably supporting the opposite ends of thephotosensitive roll 12 and applying a predetermined tension to thephotosensitive roll 12 when the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14is drawn, an end drawing mechanism 634 disposed in the end drawingstation ST3 for gripping and drawing the end 14 a to a prescribedlength, a pressing mechanism 636 disposed in the applying station ST4for supporting the end 14 a drawn to the prescribed length from itsopposite surfaces, and an applying mechanism 638 disposed in theapplying station ST4 for applying the joint tape 20 to the end 14 asupported by the pressing mechanism 636 in the transverse directionindicated by the arrow X of the photosensitive roll 12.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the end drawing station ST3 has a base 640with a pallet lifting and lowering unit 642 mounted thereon. The palletlifting and lowering unit 642 has a cylinder 644 fixed to the base 640and having an upwardly extending rod 646 to which a vertically movablebase 648 is secured. The vertically movable base 648 can engage a pallet86 which has been fed by upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b and feed thepallet 86 above the upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b.

A frame 650 is mounted on the base 640 and supports thereon a movingunit 652 of a rotary support mechanism 632. As shown in FIGS. 12 through14, the moving unit 652 has a motor 654 fixedly mounted on the frame 650and directed downwardly, and having a downwardly extending rotatabledrive shaft (not shown) to which a ball screw 656 is coaxiallyconnected. The ball screw 656 is threaded through a nut 657 fixed to avertically movable frame 658 which extends transversely across thephotosensitive roll 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow X. Fourguide rods 660 have lower ends screwed to the vertically movable frame658 and upper ends inserted slidably in respective guide rods 662attached to the frame 650.

A drive unit 663 has a motor 664 mounted on a longitudinal end of thevertically movable frame 658 and having a rotatable drive shaft 666 towhich there are coaxially fixed a drive gear 668 and a first ball screw670. The drive gear 668 is held in mesh with a driven gear 672 fixedlymounted on an end of a rotatable shaft 674 whose opposite ends andcentral portion are rotatably supported on the vertically movable frame658.

The rotatable shaft 674 has a first gear 676 mounted on an end thereofremote from the driven gear 672 and held in mesh with a second gear 678meshing with a third gear 680. The third gear 680 is mounted on an endof a second ball screw 682 which is coaxial with the first ball screw670 and is rotatably supported on the vertically movable frame 658.

The vertically movable frame 658 has a set of guide rails 684 a, 684 bextending parallel to the first and second ball screws 670, 682, andfirst and second slide bases 686 a, 686 b are slidably supported on theguide rails 684 a, 684 b. The first and second slide bases 686 a, 686 bsupport first and second nuts 688 a, 688 b fixed thereto which arethreaded respectively over the first and second ball screws 670, 682.First and second chucks 690 a, 690 b are rotatably supported on lowersurfaces of the first and second slide bases 686 a, 686 b, respectively.

The first and second chucks 690 a, 690 b have a plurality of openableand closable claws 692 a, 692 b which are insertable in the oppositeends of the photosensitive roll 12 and movable radially inwardly andoutwardly in the photosensitive roll 12. A powder clutch (tensionapplying unit) 696 is connected to a shaft 694 of the first chuck 690 a.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the end drawing mechanism 634 comprises agripper 700 for gripping a substantially central area of the end 14 a ofthe photosensitive sheet 14, an actuator 702 for moving the gripper 700in the direction indicated by the arrow Z to draw the end 14 a, and adetecting assembly for detecting a drawn length of the end 14 a.

The actuator 700 has a motor 708 fixed to the frame 650 by an attachmentplate 706 and having a ball screw 710 connected to the drive shaft ofthe motor 708 and threaded through a nut 712. The nut 712 is mounted ona movable base 714 with the gripper 700 being mounted on a distal end ofthe movable base 714. The gripper 700 has a pair of gripping fingers 716a, 716 b movable toward and away from each other for gripping andreleasing the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14.

The detecting assembly 704 has an infrared emitter 718 and an infrareddetector 720 for detecting the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14.The infrared emitter 718 is mounted on the vertically movable frame 658,and the infrared detector 720 is mounted on the base 640.

As shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, the applying station ST4 has a palletlifting and lowering unit 730 for lifting and lowering the pallet 86,and a roller presser 732 for holding an upper surface of thephotosensitive roll 12 which is lifted by the pallet lifting andlowering unit 730.

The pallet lifting and lowering unit 730 has a cylinder 734 having anupwardly extending rod 736 on which a vertically movable base 738 issupported. The roll presser 732 has a cylinder 740 having a downwardlyextending rod 742 on which there are supported a plurality of rollers744 (see FIG. 17) for holding an upper outer circumferential surface ofthe photosensitive roll 12.

As shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, the pressing mechanism 636 has a pairof laterally spaced cylinders (actuators) 752 fixed to a base 750 andhaving respective upwardly extending rods 754 to which there is fixed afirst pressing member 756 disposed below one surface (lower surface) ofthe end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 and extending transverselyacross the end 14 a. A cylinder (actuator) 760 is mounted on the base750 by a frame 758 and has a downwardly extending rod 762 to which thereis fixed a second pressing member 764 disposed above the other surface(upper surface) of the end 14 a and extending transversely across theend 14 a. The second pressing member 764 is guided for its verticalmovement by a pair of laterally spaced linear guides 766.

The applying mechanism 638 has a support member 770 fixedly mounted onthe base 750 and having a length greater than the width of thephotosensitive roll 12. A motor 772 is mounted on an end of the supportmember 770. The motor 772 has a rotatable drive shaft 774 to which thereis coaxially connected a ball screw 776 that is rotatably supported onthe support member 770. A pair of vertically spaced guide rails 778 withthe ball screw 776 disposed therebetween is mounted on a verticalsurface of the support member 770. A slide unit 780 is supported on theguide rails 778 for movement in the direction indicated by the arrow X.The slide unit 780 has a nut 782 threaded over the ball screw 776.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the slide unit 780 supports thereon a tapepayout reel 786 for supporting and paying out a separable sheet 784 withjoint tapes 20 thereon, and a separable sheet takeup reel 788 forwinding the separable sheet 784 free of joint tapes 20. The slide unit780 also supports thereon torque motors 790 a, 790 b positioned near thetape payout reel 786 and the separable sheet takeup reel 788. Rotatableshafts 796, 798 rotatably supported on the slide unit 780 have endsconnected to the torque motors 790 a, 790 b by respective belt andpulley means 794 a, 794 b and opposite ends fixed to the tape payoutreel 786 and the separable sheet takeup reel 788, respectively.

The slide unit 780 supports thereon an applying means 800 for applyingthe joint tape 20 to the end 14 a, the applying means 800 being movabletoward and away from the end 14 a, a squeezing means 802 disposed behindthe applying means 800 in the direction in which the joint tape 20 isapplied to the end 14 a, for pressing the joint tape 20 to the end 14 a,the squeezing means 802 being movable toward and away from the end 14 a,and a cutter 804 for cutting off the joint tape 20.

The applying means 800 has a cylinder 806 fixed to the slide unit 780, amovable base 808 movable back and forth by the cylinder 806, and asuction roller 810 rotatably supported on the movable base 808. Thesuction roller 810 has a rotatable shaft 812 which receives rotationaldrive power from a rotary actuator 814 through a gear train 816. Thesuction roller 810 has a cutter guide slot 818 defined in an outercircumferential surface thereof and extending axially of the suctionroller 810.

The squeezing means 802 has a cylinder 820 fixed to the slide unit 780,a vertically movable base 822 vertically movable by the cylinder 820,and a cylinder 824 extending horizontally and fixedly mounted on thevertically movable base 822. A pair of squeezing rollers 828 isrotatably mounted on an arm 826 which is horizontally movable by thecylinder 824.

The cutter 804 has a cylinder 830 fixed to the slide unit 780, rods 832extending from the cylinder 830 parallel to the axis of the suctionroller 810, and a movable plate 834 fixed to the rods 832. A disk-shapedcutting blade 836 is fixedly mounted on the movable plate 834.

The slide unit 780 also supports thereon a plurality of fixed guiderollers 838, and a guide roller 841 movable toward and away from one ofthe fixed guide rollers 838 by a cylinder 840.

As shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of feed rollers 844 a, 844 b verticallymovable by a pair of laterally spaced cylinders 842 a, 842 b aredisposed below the slide unit 780 for transferring the pallet 86 to theupper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b.

The light-shielding leader assembling station ST5 has a packaging sheetworking device 860. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 20, the packaging sheetworking device 860 has a working mechanism 866 for at least blanking astrip-like skirt member 864 delivered from a skirt member supply unit862, a skirt member cutting mechanism 868 for transversely cutting thestrip-like skirt member 864 in the blanked region into light-shieldingshrink films 24, a skirt member feeding mechanism 870 for feeding thelight-shielding shrink films 24 to a cutting region and a joining regionfor joining them to a light-shielding sheet 26, a cutting mechanism 872for cutting the light-shielding sheet 26 in a longitudinal direction ofthe light-shielding shrink films 24, a sheet member spacing mechanism874 for spacing cut ends of the light-shielding sheet 26 apart from eachother by a given distance, a joining mechanism 876 for joining thelight-shielding shrink films 24 to the confronting cut ends of thelight-shielding sheet 26 with the light-shielding shrink films 24 havingexposed transverse portions, and an end tape supplying and applyingmechanism 878 for supplying end fastening tapes 28 to the leading end ofthe light-shielding sheet 26.

As shown in FIG. 21, the skirt member supply unit 862 has a payout shaft882 rotatably supported on a base 880. The payout shaft 882 is rotatableabout a horizontal axis by a motor 884 through a belt and pulley means886 which is connected to the motor 884. The skirt member supply unit862 also has a plurality of guide rollers 888 rotatably supported on thebase 880 and arranged in a direction in which the strip-like skirtmember 864 is paid out from the payout shaft 882. A dancer roller 890 isvertically movably disposed in two of the guide rollers 888 which aredisposed parallel to each other.

The strip-like skirt member 864 includes a loop 892 formed around thedancer roller 890 between the two guide rollers 888. Positions of theloop 892 are detected by a first upper position detecting sensor 894, asecond upper position detecting sensor 896, and a second lower positiondetecting sensor 898 which are disposed in vertically spaced positions.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 22, the working mechanism 866 has a lowerrodless cylinder 900 mounted on the base 880 and extending parallel to astrip-like skirt member feed path defined by the guide rollers 888. Thelower rodless cylinder 900 has a first movable base 902 movable back andforth in the longitudinal direction indicated by the arrow K of thelower rodless cylinder 900. An upper rodless cylinder 904, which isshorter than the lower rodless cylinder 900, is fixedly mounted on thefirst movable base 902. The upper rodless cylinder 904 has a secondmovable base 906 movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction ofthe upper rodless cylinder 904.

A support frame 908 extending vertically upwardly is screwed to thesecond movable base 906, and a pressurizing cylinder 910 is fixed to anupper end of the support frame 908. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, thepressurizing cylinder 910 has a downwardly extending rod 912 positionedabove and aligned with the strip-like skirt member feed path defined bythe guide rollers 888. A vertically movable base 914 is coupled to alower end of the rod 912. The vertically movable base 914 is guidedalong a vertical surface of the support frame 908 by a linear guide 916,and supports a punch 918 on its lower end. A die plate 920 disposedbelow the punch 918 is fixedly mounted on the support frame 908.

As shown in FIG. 22, the punch 918 and the die plate 920 jointly operateto form a lozenge-shaped opening 922 and tear-off perforations 924 a,924 b in the strip-like skirt member 864. The punch 918 and the dieplate 920 have their punch and die structures shaped complementarily tothe lozenge-shaped opening 922 and the tear-off perforations 924 a, 924b. As shown in FIG. 23, the punch 918 has a stripper 926 verticallymovably supported on a plurality of stripper bolts 928.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 24, a rodless cylinder 930 is mounted on thebase 880 parallel to the lower rodless cylinder 900 of the workingmechanism 866, the rodless cylinder 930 being positioned on one side ofthe strip-like skirt member feed path remotely from the lower rodlesscylinder 900. The rodless cylinder 930 has a length in the directionindicated by the arrow K so as to correspond to the drawn length of thestrip-like skirt member 864. The rodless cylinder 930 has a movable base932 on which the skirt member cutting mechanism 868 is mounted. Theskirt member cutting mechanism 868 has a horizontal cylinder 934 havinga rod 936 with a cutter blade 938 fixed thereto. The cutter blade 938 isguided by a slide guide 940 for movement in the transverse directionindicated by the arrow M of the strip-like skirt member 864.

The movable base 932 has a function as a skirt member holding mechanismfor holding the strip-like skirt member 864 when the strip-like skirtmember 864 is transversely cut off by the skirt member cutting mechanism868. The movable base 932 has a gripping means 942 disposed upstream ofthe cutter blade 938 with respect to the direction in which thestrip-like skirt member 864 is fed, and a holding means 944 disposeddownstream of the cutter blade 938 with respect to the same direction.

As shown in FIG. 25, the gripping means 942 has a fixed guide 946 fixedto the movable base 932 and a movable base 950 movable toward and awayfrom the fixed guide 946 by a cylinder 948. The fixed guide 946 has apair of vertical guide surfaces 952 spaced from each other by a distancecorresponding to the width of the strip-like skirt member 864, and apair of horizontal guide surfaces 954 spaced from each other by a givendistance for supporting the lower surface of the strip-like skirt member864.

The movable guide 950 is coupled to a distal end of a rod 956 extendingdownwardly from the cylinder 948 and is movably guided on the movablebase 932 by a plurality of guide bars 958. The movable guide 950 has apair of pressing surfaces 959 for pressing and holding transverselyspaced opposite edges of the strip-like skirt member 864 against therespective horizontal guide surfaces 954.

As shown in FIG. 26, the holding means 944 has a cylinder 960 fixed tothe movable base 932 and a pressing guide 964 coupled to a rod 962 whichextends downwardly from the cylinder 960. The pressing guide 964 isvertically movably supported on the movable base 932 by a plurality ofguide bars 966 and has a lower pressing surface 968 for pressing andholding the strip-like skirt member 864 against the skirt member feedingmechanism 870. The lower pressing surface 968 extends the fulltransverse width of the strip-like skirt member 864.

As shown in FIG. 24, a stopper means 970 for positioning and holding themovable base 932 is disposed in a retracted position of the movable base932, i.e., a position for cutting the strip-like skirt member 864. Thestopper means 970 has a cylinder 972 disposed on the base 880 and havingan engaging rod 974 which extends upwardly. When the engaging rod 974 isbrought into an upper end position by the cylinder 972, the engaging rod974 abuts against an engaging member 976 on the movable base 932. Whenthe engaging rod 974 is retracted into the cylinder 972, the engagingrod 974 is spaced from the movable base 932, allowing the movable base932 to move to a retracted limit position of the rodless cylinder 930.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 24, the skirt member feeding mechanism 870 hasan elongate rodless cylinder (actuator) 980 extending in the directionindicated by the arrow K over the strip-like skirt member feed path. Therodless cylinder 980 has a movable base 982 to which an end of a skirtmember suction box 984 is coupled. The skirt member suction box 984 issupported on an elongate guide member 986 extending from a cuttingregion P1 a to a joining region P2 a. The guide member 986 is disposedon the base 880 by a plurality of support columns 988.

The skirt member suction box 984 has its dimension in the directionindicated by the arrow K so as to correspond to the cut length of thestrip-like skirt member 864. The skirt member suction box 984 has aplurality of suction holes 990 defined in its upper surface. The skirtmember suction box 984 also has a cutting guide slit 992 defined in itsupper surface at a transversely central region thereof and extendinglongitudinally.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 27, the cutting mechanism 872 has a supportframe 1000 disposed above the joining region P2 a, and a horizontallyextending rodless cylinder 1002 is mounted on a vertical surface of thesupport frame 1000. The rodless cylinder 1002 has a movable base 1004which is movable back and forth in the direction indicated by the arrowK along a linear guide 1006 fixed to the support frame 1000. A cylinder1008 is fixedly mounted on the movable base 1004, and a cutter blade1010 is vertically movably supported on the cylinder 1008.

As shown in FIG. 28, a sheet member holding mechanism 1020 is disposednear the cutting mechanism 872. The sheet member holding mechanism 1020has a lifting and lowering cylinder 1024 fixedly mounted on a horizontalupper frame 1022 and having a downwardly extending rod 1026 to which avertically movable base 1028 is fixed. The vertically movable base 1028is movably supported on the upper frame 1022 by guide bars 1030. Presserplates 1034 a, 1034 b are mounted on the vertically movable base 1028 byattachment plates 1032 a, 1032 b. The presser plates 1034 a, 1034 bextend in the direction in which the light-shielding sheet 26 is cut,and are disposed one on each side of the cutter blade 1010.

As shown in FIG. 29, the sheet member spacing mechanism 874 has firstand second sheet member suction boxes 1040, 1042 disposed one on eachside of a cutting line CL for the light-shielding sheet 26, forattracting the light-shielding sheet 26 under suction, and a moving unit1044 for moving the first and second sheet member suction boxes 1040,1042 toward and away from each other in the direction indicated by thearrow N.

In the joining region P2 a, a pair of support members 1046 a, 1046 b isfixedly mounted on a base 1048. The support members 1046 a, 1046 b arespaced a distance from each other in the direction indicated by thearrow K and extend parallel to each other in the direction indicated bythe arrow N. Guide rails 1050 a, 1050 b extending in the directionindicated by the arrow N are mounted on the respective support members1046 a, 1046 b. The guide rails 1050 a, 1050 b are slidably engaged byrespective linear guides 1052 a, 1052 b that are fixed to opposite endsof the first and second sheet member suction boxes 1040, 1042.

The moving unit 1044 has first and second cylinders 1054, 1056 fixedlymounted on a base 1048. The first and second cylinders 1054, 1056 haverespective shorter and longer rods 1054 a, 1056 a extending parallel toeach other in the direction indicated by the arrow N1. The shorter rod1054 a is coupled to a lower surface of the first sheet member suctionbox 1040, and the longer rod 1056 a extends below the first sheet membersuction box 1040 and is coupled to the second sheet member suction box1042.

As shown in FIG. 30, the joining mechanism 876 has first and secondheater blocks 1060, 1062 disposed between the first and second sheetmember suction boxes 1040, 1042 in the joining region P2 a, and alifting and lowering unit 1064 for lifting and lowering the first andsecond heater blocks 1060, 1062.

The lifting and lowering unit 1064 has a pair of laterally spacedlifting and lowering cylinders 1066, 1068 mounted on the base 1048outside of the moving unit 1044 and having upwardly extending rods 1066a, 1068 a, respectively, to which vertically movable bases 1070, 1072are coupled. The vertically movable bases 1070, 1072 are verticallysupported by respective pairs of guide plates 1074, 1076. The first andsecond heater blocks 1060, 1062 are integrally fixed to the verticallymovable bases 1070, 1072.

As shown in FIG. 5, a light-shielding sheet 26 is produced by cuttingoff a strip-like light-shielding sheet 1082 unwound from its roll in alight-shielding sheet supply 1080, to a predetermined width in thejoining region P2 a. In the light-shielding sheet supply 1080, as shownin FIGS. 31 and 32, the strip-like light-shielding sheet 1082 is placedas a roll on a carriage 1084 and supplied therefrom. A pair of supportblocks 1088 supporting a core 1086 of the rolled strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 is mounted on the carriage 1084.

The light-shielding sheet supply 1080 has a pair of vertically extendingwalls 1090 in a position where the carriage 1084 is placed. A supportplate 1092 which is vertically movable by a lifting and loweringcylinder 1094 is supported on the walls 1090. The lifting and loweringcylinder 1094 is directed vertically and has an upwardly extending rod1096 which is connected to a support plate 1092 by a joint 1098.Laterally spaced rails 1100 a, 1100 b are vertically mounted on verticalsurfaces of the respective walls 1090, with the support plate 1092 beingslidably supported on the rails 1100 a, 1100 b.

A pair of laterally spaced movable arms 1102 a, 1102 b is horizontallymovably supported on the support plate 1092 by respective pairs of upperand lower guide rails 1104 a, 1104 b. The support plate 1092 supportscylinders 1106, 1108 fixed thereto which extend horizontally inalignment with each other. The cylinders 1106, 1108 have respective rods1106 a, 1108 a projecting in different directions therefrom and coupledto the movable arms 1102 a, 1102 b, respectively.

A motor 1110 is mounted on the movable arm 1102 a and has a rotatableshaft 1112 operatively coupled to a drive shaft 1116 on the movable arm1102 a by a chain and sprocket mechanism 1114. A driven shaft 1118 isrotatably supported on the movable arm 1102 b in alignment with thedrive shaft 1116. The drive shaft 1116 and the driven shaft 1118 can befitted in the respective opposite ends of the core 1086 of the rolledstrip-like light-shielding sheet 1082. The light-shielding sheet supply1080 has a plurality of guide rollers 1120 for feeding the strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 to the joining region P2 a (see FIG. 32).

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the end tape supplying and applyingmechanism 878 has a separable sheet payout mechanism 1172, a separablesheet bending mechanism 1174, and an end tape removing mechanism 1176.End fastening tapes 28 are applied in an array to a strip-like separablesheet 1178. Each of the end fastening tapes 28 has its longitudinaldirection extending transversely across the strip-like separable sheet1178, and has an adhesive-free area 1180 positioned at a side edge 1178a of the strip-like separable sheet 1178.

The separable sheet payout mechanism 1172 has a tape payout shaft 1182for paying out the separable sheet 1178 with end fastening tapes 28applied thereto from a roll thereof on the tape payout shaft 1182, and aseparable sheet takeup shaft 1184 for winding the separable sheet 1178free of the end fastening tapes 28. A pair of guide rollers 1186 whoseaxes extend substantially horizontally parallel to each other isdisposed between the tape payout shaft 1182 and the separable sheettakeup shaft 1184.

As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the separable sheet bending mechanism 1174has first and second feed guides 1188, 1190 disposed one on each side ofthe separable sheet 1178, for guiding the side edge 1178 a of thestrip-like separable sheet 1178 so as to forcibly bend the side edge1178 a upwardly. The first feed guide 1188 serves to guide a reverseside of the strip-like separable sheet 1178 opposite to the surfacethereof on which the end fastening tapes 28 are disposed. The first feedguide 1188 has a substantially triangular shape having an edge inclinedprogressively away from the side edge 1178 a of the strip-like separablesheet 1178 in the direction indicated by the arrow R in which thestrip-like separable sheet 1178 is fed.

The second feed guide 1190 serves to guide the surface of the strip-likeseparable sheet 1178 on which the end fastening tapes 28 are disposed.The second feed guide 1190 has a substantially triangular shape havingan edge inclined progressively away from the side edge 1178 a of thestrip-like separable sheet 1178 in the direction indicated by the arrowR in which the strip-like separable sheet 1178 is fed. When thestrip-like separable sheet 1178 is guided by the first and second feedguides 1188, 1190, the side edge 1178 a thereof is bent upwardly,exposing the adhesive-free areas 1180 of the end fastening tapes 28 outof the side edge 1178 a.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the end tape removing mechanism 1176 hasfirst and second suction heads 1192, 1194 positioned in facing relationto the surface of the strip-like separable sheet 1178 on which the endfastening tapes 28 are disposed, and first and second pressing members1196, 1198 positioned in facing relation to the reverse side of thestrip-like separable sheet 1178, with the end fastening tapes 28 beinginterposed between the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 and thefirst and second pressing members 1196, 1198.

The end tape removing mechanism 1176 has a moving means 1200 for movingthe first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 together in the directionindicated by the arrow S. The moving means 1200 has a servomotor 1202having a rotatable drive shaft 1204 to which there is coupled an end ofa ball screw 1206 that is rotatably supported on a base 1208. Twoparallel guide rails 1210 a, 1210 b disposed one on each side of theball screw 1206 and extending parallel to each other are mounted on thebase 1208. A movable base 1212 is movably mounted on the guide rails1210 a, 1210 b. The movable base 1212 has a nut 1214 threaded over theball screw 1206.

The movable base 1212 supports thereon a guide member 1216 which iselongate in the direction indicated by the arrow U which isperpendicular to the direction indicated by the arrow S. A slide member1220 of a rodless cylinder is mounted on the guide member 1216 formovement in the direction indicated by the arrow U.

First and second lifting and lowering cylinders 1222, 1224 arevertically mounted on the slide member 1220 and have respective upwardlyextending rods 1222 a, 1224 a to which first and second verticallymovable bases 1226, 1228 are fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 37, the first and second suction heads 1192,1194 are mounted on the respective first and second vertically movablebases 1226, 1228 for swinging movement about respective pivot shafts1230, 1232. The first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 are normallyurged by respective springs 1234, 1236 to cause their distal ends toswing upwardly. A plurality of (e.g., three) suction pads 1238, 1240 arearrayed on each of the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 in thelongitudinal direction of the end fastening tapes 28. The suction pads1238, 1240 are connected to a vacuum source (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the first and second pressing members 1196,1198 are fixed to respective tip ends of rods 1242 a, 1244 a whichproject downwardly from respective first and second cylinders 1242,1244, and positioned in alignment with the adhesive-free areas 1180 ofthe end fastening tapes 28 applied to the separable sheet 1178. An endtape detecting means 1246 for automatically detecting the adhesive-freeareas 1180 of the end fastening tapes 28 is disposed near the firstcylinder 1242. The end tape detecting means 1246 comprises a lightemitter 1248 and a light detector 1250 which are vertically spaced acertain distance from each other.

The light-shielding leader winding station ST6 has a packaging sheettakeup device 1300. As shown in FIG. 38, the packaging sheet takeupdevice 1300 comprises a light-shielding leader feed mechanism (packagingsheet feed mechanism) 1302 for gripping the end of the light-shieldingleader 22 and feeding and positioning the end of the light-shieldingleader 22 in a winding position P3 a, an applying mechanism 1304 forapplying the light-shielding leader 22 to the end 14 a of thephotosensitive sheet 14, a rotating mechanism 1306 for rotating thephotosensitive roll 12 with the light-shielding leader 22 appliedthereto, and a light-shielding leader holding mechanism (packaging sheetholding mechanism) 1308 for gripping and moving the winding terminal endof the light-shielding leader 22 to the photosensitive roll 12 when thephotosensitive roll 12 is rotated.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the light-shielding leader feed mechanism1302 has a pair of horizontally extending rails 1334 a, 1334 b supportedon an upper portion of a frame 1332 which extends from thelight-shielding leader assembling station ST5 to the light-shieldingleader winding station ST6. On the rails 1334 a, 1334 b, there aremovably mounted first and second feed units 1336, 1338, respectively,for selectively feeding light-shielding leaders 22 having differentlengths.

Upper linear guides 1335 a, 1335 b and lower linear guides 1337 a, 1337b are mounted on the rails 1334 a, 1334 b, between which there arerotatably supported first and second ball screws 1340, 1342. The firstand second ball screws 1340, 1342 can individually be rotated by beltand pulley means 1348, 1350 which are coupled to respective motors 1344,1346 fixed to an end of the frame 1332.

The first feed unit 1336 has a nut 1352 threaded over the first ballscrew 1340, and is supported by the upper linear guides 1335 a, 1335 bfor movement in the direction indicated by the arrow N. The second feedunit 1338 has a nut 1354 threaded over the second ball screw 1342, andis supported by the lower linear guides 1337 a, 1337 b for movement inthe direction indicated by the arrow N.

Arms 1356 a, 1356 b extend downwardly from the first feed unit 1336, andsupport on their lower ends clamp means 1360 a, 1360 b throughvertically movable tables 1358 a, 1358 b which are actuatable under airpressure. As shown in FIGS. 39 and 41, the clamp means 1360 a, 1360 bhave fixed fingers 1362 a, 1362 b and swing fingers 1364 a, 1364 b. Theswing fingers 1364 a, 1364 b are swingable about respective pivot shafts1366 a, 1366 b and have rear ends connected by respective hinge pins1372 a, 1372 b to respective rods 1370 a, 1370 b extending downwardlyfrom cylinders 1368 a, 1368 b.

The second feed unit 1338 is identical in structure to the first feedunit 1336. Therefore, the components of the second feed unit 1338 whichare identical to those of the first feed unit 1336 are denoted byidentical reference characters, and will not be described in detailbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the applying mechanism 1304 has a movablebearing base 1384 which is movable by an actuator 1382 mounted on a base1380 of the frame 1332, and first and second presser members 1388, 1390disposed above the bearing base 1384 and vertically movable by a liftingand lowering cylinder 1386.

The actuator 1382 has a pair of laterally spaced first cylinders 1392mounted on the base 1380 and having rods 1392 a which extend therefromin the direction indicated by the arrow V1 and are connected to amovable base 1394. Arms 1398 are swingably supported by a pair of pivotshafts 1396 on a distal end of the movable base 1394 in the directionindicated by the arrow V1. The movable bearing base 1384 is integrallyfixed to distal ends of the arms 1398. The arms 1398 have respectiveangularly concave cam surfaces 1400 on their lower surfaces.

A second cylinder 1402 is mounted centrally on the movable base 1394 andhas rods 1402 a which extend therefrom in the direction indicated by thearrow V1 and are connected to a cam plate 1404. Cam rollers 1406engaging the cam surfaces 1400 of the arms 1398 are mounted on oppositeends of the cam plate 1404.

The lifting and lowering cylinder 1386 is fixed to the frame 1332 andhas a downwardly extending rod 1386 a to which an attachment plate 1408is fixed. The first presser member 1388, which is positioned closely tothe photosensitive roll 12, is connected to the attachment plate 1408 bya plurality of guide bars 1410, with springs 1412 disposed around therespective guide bars 1410. The attachment plate 1408 supports thereon aplurality cylinders 1414 spaced from the guide bars 1410 in thedirection indicated by the arrow V2 and having respective downwardlyextending rods 1414 a to which the second presser member 1390 is fixed.The second presser member 1390 is movable toward and away from theattachment plate 1408 by the cylinders 1414 while being guided by rods1415 and springs 1416 disposed therearound.

As shown in FIG. 43, light-shielding leader pressers 1418, 1420 aredisposed on the base 1380 at its opposite ends spaced in the directionindicated by the arrow V. The light-shielding leader pressers 1418, 1420extend in the direction indicated by the arrow N, and are verticallymovable by respective lifting and lowering cylinders 1422, 1424. Thelight-shielding leader holding mechanism 1308 is disposed on the base1380 at a substantially central position in the direction indicated bythe arrow N (see FIG. 38).

The light-shielding leader holding mechanism 1308 has a rodless cylinder1430 mounted on the base 1380 and extending in the direction indicatedby the arrow V. As shown in FIG. 44, a support plate 1434 is fixed to amovable base 1432 which is movable in the direction indicated by thearrow V by the rodless cylinder 1430. Air chucks 1436, 1438 are mountedon the support plate 1434 in respective positions which are equallyspaced laterally from a transversely central line of the light-shieldingleader 22.

As shown in FIG. 45, the photosensitive roll 12 is supported on a palletlifting and lowering device 1440 in a position below the rotatingmechanism 1306. The pallet lifting and lowering device 1440 has acylinder 1442 fixed to the frame 1332. The cylinder 1442 has an upwardlyextending rod 1442 a to which a vertically movable base 1444 is secured.Guide bars 1446 mounted on the vertically movable base 1444 arevertically movably supported by the frame 1332. The pallet 86 can beplaced on the vertically movable base 1444.

The rotating mechanism 1306 has a moving unit 1450 mounted on the frame1332. As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the moving unit 1450 has a motor 1454fixedly mounted on the frame 1332 and directed downwardly, and having adownwardly extending rotatable drive shaft (not shown) to which a ballscrew 1456 is coaxially connected. The ball screw 1456 is threadedthrough a nut 1457 fixed to a vertically movable frame 1458 whichextends transversely across the photosensitive roll 12 in the directionindicated by the arrow X. Four guide rods 1460 have lower ends screwedto the vertically movable frame 1458 and are inserted in respectiveguide bushings 1462 attached to the frame 1332.

A drive unit 1463 has a motor 1464 mounted on a longitudinal end of thevertically movable frame 1458 and having a rotatable drive shaft 1466 towhich there are coaxially fixed a drive gear 1468 and a first ball screw1470. The drive gear 1468 is held in mesh with a driven gear 1472fixedly mounted on an end of a rotatable shaft 1474 whose opposite endsand central portion are rotatably supported on the vertically movableframe 1458.

The rotatable shaft 1474 has a first gear 1476 mounted on an end thereofremote from the driven gear 1472 and held in mesh with a second gear1478 meshing with a third gear 1480. The third gear 1480 is mounted onan end of a second ball screw 1482 which is coaxial with the first ballscrew 1470 and is rotatably supported on the vertically movable frame1458.

The vertically movable frame 1458 has a set of guide rails 1484 a, 1484b extending parallel to the first and second ball screws 1470, 1482, andfirst and second slide units 1486 a, 1486 b are slidably supported onthe guide rails 1484 a, 1484 b. The first and second slide units 1486 a,1486 b support first and second nuts 1488 a, 1488 b fixed thereto whichare threaded respectively over the first and second ball screws 1470,1482. First and second chucks 1490 a, 1490 b are rotatably supported onlower surfaces of the first and second slide units 1486 a, 1486 b,respectively. The first and second chucks 1490 a, 1490 b are insertablein the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12 and movable radiallyinwardly and outwardly in the photosensitive roll 12.

A motor 1492 is mounted on the longitudinal end of the verticallymovable frame 1458 in juxtaposed relation to the motor 1464, and has arotatable drive shaft 1492 a to which a splined shaft 1493 is coaxiallyconnected. The splined shaft 1493 extends in the direction indicated bythe arrow X and is rotatably supported on the vertically movable frame1458. The first and second chucks 1490 a, 1490 b are operatively coupledto the opposite ends of the splined shaft 1493 respectively by belt andpulley means 1494 a, 1494 b.

As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, hot air blowers 1496 a, 1496 b forcontinuously supplying hot air at a constant temperature and a constantrate to the light-shielding shrink films 24 upon rotation of thephotosensitive roll 12 are swingably mounted on the respective first andsecond slide units 1486 a, 1486 b by cylinders 1498 a, 1498 b.

Rollers 1500 a, 1500 b for pressing the light-shielding leader 22against the photosensitive roll 12 while the winding terminal end of thelight-shielding leader 22 is being released from the light-shieldingleader holding mechanism 1308 when the light-shielding leader 22 iswound are mounted on the respective first and second slide units 1486 a,1486 b. The rollers 1500 a, 1500 b are horizontally movable byhorizontal cylinders 1502 a, 1502 b, respectively.

A roller 1500 c which is movable by an actuator 1504 is mounted on thevertically movable frame 1458. The actuator 1504 has a vertical firstcylinder 1506 which lifts and lowers an attachment plate 1508 having avertical surface on which a horizontal second cylinder 1510 is fixedlymounted. The second cylinder 1510 horizontally moves a plate 1512 withthe roller 1500 c being rotatably supported thereon.

As shown in FIG. 49, the thermally fusing station ST7 has a packagingsheet bonding device 2060 and a lifting and lowering device 2062 forlifting the photosensitive roll 12 in unison with the pallet 86 to athermally fusing position.

As shown in FIG. 50, the lifting and lowering device 2062 has aservomotor 2066 with a brake as a rotary actuator fixed to a frame 2064.The servomotor 2066 has a rotatable drive shaft 2068 operatively coupledto a ball screw 2072 by a belt and pulley means 2070. The ball screw2072 extends vertically and have upper and lower ends rotatablysupported on the frame 2064.

The ball screw 2072 is threaded through a nut 2074 mounted on avertically movable base 2076 to which there are fixed the lower ends ofa pair of guide bars 2078 parallel to the ball screw 2072. The guidebars 2078 are supported on the frame 2064 by linear bushings 2080 andhave respective upper ends to which a vertically movable plate 2082 isfixed.

As shown in FIGS. 51 through 53, the packaging sheet bonding device 2060has an upper frame 2090 fixedly mounted on the frame 2064. A horizontalservomotor 2092 with a brake is mounted on an end of the upper frame2090 and has a rotatable drive shaft 2094 to which there are coaxiallyfixed a drive gear 2096 and a first ball screw 2098. The drive gear 2096is held in mesh with a driven gear 2100 fixedly mounted on an end of arotatable shaft 2102 whose opposite ends and central portion arerotatably supported on the upper frame 2090.

The rotatable shaft 2102 has a first gear 2104 mounted on an end thereofremote from the driven gear 2100 and held in mesh with a second gear2106 meshing with a third gear 2108. The third gear 2108 is mounted onan end of a second ball screw 2110 which is coaxial with the first ballscrew 2098 and is rotatably supported on the upper frame 2090. The upperframe 2090 has a set of guide rails 2112 a, 2112 b extending parallel tothe first and second ball screws 2098, 2110, and first and second slidebases 2114 a, 2114 b are slidably supported on the guide rails 2112 a,2112 b.

The first and second bases 2114 a, 2114 b support first and second nuts2116 a, 2116 b fixed thereto which are threaded respectively over thefirst and second ball screws 2098, 2110. A pressing mechanism 2117 hasfirst and second cylinders 2118 a, 2118 b fixed to lower surfaces of thefirst and second bases 2114 a, 2114 b in confronting relation to eachother. The first and second cylinders 2118 a, 2118 b have respectivehorizontally projecting rods 2120 a, 2120 b coupled to respective firstand second movable support bases 2122 a, 2122 b. The first and secondmovable support bases 2122 a, 2122 b are movably supported on therespective first and second bases 2114 a, 2114 b by respective linearguides 2124 a, 2124 b.

As shown in FIG. 54, slide plates 2126 a, 2126 b are mountedrespectively on the first and second movable support bases 2122 a, 2122b for movement in the direction indicated by the arrow Y (diametricallyacross the photosensitive roll 12) which is perpendicular to thedirection indicated by the arrow X in which the first and second movablesupport bases 2122 a, 2122 b are movable. The first and second movablesupport bases 2122 a, 2122 b have respective vertical surfaces to whichthere are fixed upper and lower guide rails 2128 a, 2128 b extendingparallel to each other in the direction indicated by the arrow Y. Amoving mechanism 2129 has a cylinder 2130 disposed between the upper andlower guide rails 2128 a, 2128 b. The cylinder 2130 has a horizontallyextending rod 2132 connected to the slide plate 2126 a, 2126 b which issupported on the guide rails 2128 a, 2128 b.

The first and second movable support bases 2122 a, 2122 b have a stoppermeans 2134 for forcibly stopping the slide plate 2126 a, 2126 b in asubstantially intermediate position between the opposite ends of itsstroke of movement caused by the cylinder 2130. The stopper means 2134has a cylinder 2136 having a rod 2138 with an engaging member 2140coupled thereto. Engaging screws 2142 a, 2142 b for engaging theopposite ends of the slide plate 2126 a, 2126 b to position the slideplate 2126 a, 2126 b are positionally adjustably mounted on therespective opposite ends of the first and second movable support bases2122 a, 2122 b in the direction indicated by the arrow Y.

A first heating head 2144, a second heating head 2146, and a thirdheating head 2148 are mounted on a front surface of the slide plate 2126a, 2126 b. Each of the first through third heating heads 2144, 2146,2148 is substantially disk-shaped, and houses a cartridge heater, notshown, therein.

As shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, the first heating head 2144 has a firstannular protrusion 2150 a and a second annular protrusion 2150 bdisposed coaxially around the first annular protrusion 2150 a. The outersecond annular protrusion 2150 b projects outwardly more than the innerfirst annular protrusion 2150 a. The second and third heating heads2146, 2148 also have inner first annular protrusions 2152 a, 2154 a,respectively, and outer second annular protrusions 2152 b, 2154 bdisposed coaxially around the first annular protrusions 2152 a, 2154 a.The outer second annular protrusions 2152 b, 2154 b project outwardlymore than the inner first annular protrusions 2152 a, 2154 a (see FIGS.56 and 57).

The first annular protrusions 2150 a, 2152 a, 2154 a and the secondannular protrusions 2150 b, 2152 b, 2154 b have different diameters,allowing the first, second, and third heating heads 2144, 2146, 2148 tohandle six types of photosensitive rolls 12 having different outsidediameters.

The second flanged member inserting station ST10 has a hard flangedmember inserting device 4060. FIG. 58 shows the hard flanged memberinserting device 4060, a centering device 4062 for positioning andholding the outer circumference of the light-shielded photosensitiveroll 30, a lifting and lowering device 4064 for lifting and lowering thelight-shielded photosensitive roll 30, and a flanged member feedingdevice 4066 for feeding the second flanged members 32 to the hardflanged member inserting device 4060.

The flanged member feeding device 4066 has first and second horizontallyfeeding means 4070 a, 4070 b disposed respectively on guide rails 4072a, 4072 b on a frame 4068 for movement along the guide rails 4072 a,4072 b in the direction indicated by the arrow F. As shown in FIG. 59,the first and second horizontally feeding means 4070 a, 4070 b are fixedto respective belts 4076 a, 4076 b driven in a circulative path byrespective motors 4074 a, 4074 b for movement along the guide rails 4072a, 4072 b to a position above a mounting position P1.

The first and second horizontally feeding means 4070 a, 4070 b haverespective vertically extending cylinders 4078 a, 4078 b and havingrespective downwardly projecting rods 4080 a, 4080 b on which there aremounted chucks 4082 a, 4082 b for gripping second flanged members 32from their inner circumferential surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 58, first and second transfer means 4090 a, 4090 b aredisposed in the mounting position P1 for receiving the second flangedmembers 32 fed by the first and second horizontally feeding means 4070a, 4070 b and transferring the received second flanged members 32 to thehard flanged member inserting device 4060. The first and second transfermeans 4090 a, 4090 b have a base 4094 fixed to the frame 4068.

As shown in FIGS. 60 through 62, a horizontal cylinder 4096 is mountedon the base 4094 and has a rod 4098 fixed to a base 4100 which issupported on the base 4094 by linear guides 4102 for horizontalmovement.

A cylinder 4104 is mounted on the base 4100 and has a rod 4106 coupledto a swing arm 4108. The swing arm 4108 is angularly movable about 90°about a pivot shaft 4110 and supports a chuck 4112 mounted on a distalend thereof. The chuck 4112 has a pair of fingers 4116 a, 4116 b movabletoward and away from each other.

The hard flanged member inserting device 4060 is disposed in a positionwhich is reached by the swing arm 4108 when it is angularly moved to itslower limit. As shown in FIG. 58, the hard flanged member insertingdevice 4060 has a ball screw 4120 rotatably supported on the frame 4068and extending in the axial direction (transverse direction) of thephotosensitive roll 12. The ball screw 4120 can be rotated by a motor4122 through a gear train 4124. The ball screw 4120 is paralleled by apair of guide rods 4126 (see FIG. 60) which support first and secondinserting units 4130 a, 4130 b thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, the first and second inserting units 4130a, 4130 b have respective inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b movable towardand away from unit assemblies 4132 a, 4132 b while gripping secondflanged members 32, respective motors (rotary actuators) 4136 a, 4136 bfor rotating the inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b, respective insertingcylinders (inserting actuators) 4138 a, 4138 b fixed to the unitassemblies 4132 a, 4132 b for moving the inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 bin order to insert the second flanged members 32 into first flangedmembers 18 a, respective floating couplers 4140 a, 4140 b for moving theinserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b by a distance L with respect to theinserting cylinders 4138 a, 4138 b, respective cylinders (urging means)4144 a, 4144 b for pressing the second flanged members 32 against thefirst flanged members 18 a while allowing the second flanged members 32to move with respect to the inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b, andrespective detectors 4146 a, 4146 b for detecting when the grooves 56 ofthe first flanged members 18 a are aligned with the ridges 68 of thesecond flanged members 32 by the motors 4136 a, 4136 b and the secondflanged members 32 are moved into the first flanges 18 a.

The unit assemblies 4132 a, 4132 b have nuts 4148 a, 4148 b threadedover the ball screw 4120. The ball screw 4120 has reversely threadedstructures one on each side of its center, so that the unit assemblies4132 a, 4132 b can move in unison in directions toward and away fromeach other. The inserting cylinders 4138 a, 4138 b of the unitassemblies 4132 a, 4132 b have respective horizontal rods 4150 a, 4150 bengaged by respective movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b of the insertingheads 4134 a, 4134 b through the floating couplers 4140 a, 4140 b.

Tubular pressers 4154 a, 4154 b are mounted on the respective distalends of the rods 4150 a, 4150 b. Rods 4156 a, 4156 b inserted in therespective tubular pressers 4154 a, 4154 b have larger-diameter members4158 a, 4158 b integrally formed with distal ends thereof. Angles 4160a, 4160 b are fixed to the respective movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b andhave respective holes 4162 a, 4162 b defined in distal ends thereof.

The rods 4156 a, 4156 b are fitted respectively in the holes 4162 a,4162 b. The tubular pressers 4154 a, 4154 b can press the outer surfacesof the distal ends of the angles 4160 a, 4160 b, whereas thelarger-diameter members 4158 a, 4158 b can press inner surfaces of theangles 4160 a, 4160 b. The movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b areindependently movable the distance L between the tubular pressers 4154a, 4154 b and the larger-diameter members 4158 a, 4158 b.

The movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b are supported on respective guide rails4164 a, 4164 b mounted on the unit assemblies 4132 a, 4132 b formovement in the direction indicated by the arrow X. The cylinders 4144a, 4144 b have respective presser rods 4166 a, 4166 b whose distal endscan abut against ends of the movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b. The presserrods 4166 a, 4166 b are movably supported on respective attachmentplates 4168 a, 4168 b fixed to the inserting cylinders 4138 a, 4138 band normally urged toward the movable base 4152 a in the directionindicated by the arrow X1 by the cylinders 4144 a, 4144 b.

The detectors 4146 a, 4146 b have respective dogs 4170 a, 4170 b fixedto the ends of the presser rods 4166 a, 4166 b. The dogs 4170 a, 4170 bare engageable with the attachment plates 4168 a, 4168 b to prevent thepresser rods 4166 a, 4166 b from being detached from the attachmentplates 4168 a, 4168 b. The detectors 4146 a, 4146 b also have respectivesensors 4172 a, 4172 b which are turned on by the dogs 4170 a, 4170 bwhen the grooves 56 of the first flanged members 18 a are not alignedwith the ridges 68 of the second flanged members 32, and turned off whenthe grooves 56 are aligned with the ridges 68 and the second flangedmembers 32 move toward the first flanged members 18 a.

The motors 4136 a, 4136 b are fixed to the movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b,respectively, and have respective rotatable drive shafts 4174 a, 4174 bto which rotatable shafts 4178 a, 4178 b are operatively coupled by beltand pulley means 4176 a, 4176 b. The inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b areconnected to the respective rotatable shafts 4178 a, 4178 b byrespective couplings 4180 a, 4180 b.

Support tubes 4182 a, 4182 b have ends fixed to the distal ends of themovable bases 4152 a, 4152 b, and support rods 4184 a, 4184 b aremovably disposed in the respective support tubes 4182 a, 4182 b, withsprings 4142 a, 4142 b disposed around the support tubes 4182 a, 4182 band the support rods 4184 a, 4184 b. Presser plates 4186 a, 4186 b arefixed to distal ends of the support rods 4184 a, 4184 b.

As shown in FIG. 60, the centering device 4062 has first centeringrollers 4190 a, 4190 b and second centering rollers 4192 a, 4192 b whichare disposed one on each side of the photosensitive roll 12 inconfronting relation to each other diametrically across thephotosensitive roll 12, and cylinders 4194 a, 4194 b for moving thefirst centering rollers 4190 a, 4190 b and the second centering rollers4192 a, 4192 b toward and away from each other.

The lifting and lowering device 4064 for lifting the pallet 86 with thelight-shielded photosensitive roll 12 placed thereon to a second flangedmember assembling position is disposed in the mounting position P1. Thelifting and lowering device 4064 is identical in structure to thelifting and lowering device 2062 described above, and will not bedescribed in detail below.

Operation of the automatic packaging system 10 thus constructed will bedescribed below with respect to a method of automatically packaging arolled article according to the present invention.

A photosensitive roll 12 with first flanged members 18 a assembledthereon in the first flanged member inserting station ST2 is fed on apallet 86 to the end drawing station ST3 by the feed conveyors 82 a, 82b. In the end drawing station ST3, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, whilethe pallet 86 is at rest, the cylinder 644 of the pallet lifting andlowering unit 642 is actuated to lift the vertically movable base 648into engagement with the pallet 86, which is delivered to a positionabove the feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b, bringing the photosensitive roll 12into an end drawing position.

Then, the motor 664 of the drive unit 663 is energized to rotate thedrive gear 668 and the ball screw 670 in unison in a given direction.The drive gear 668 rotates the driven gear 672 whose rotation istransmitted through the rotatable shaft 674 to the first gear 676 andthen from the second gear 678 meshing with the first gear 676 throughthe third gear 680 to the second ball screw 682. The first and secondballs crews 670, 682 rotate in different directions, causing the firstand second nuts 688 a, 688 b to move the first and second slide bases686 a, 686 b toward each other.

The first and second chucks 690 a, 690 b rotatably supported on thefirst and second slide bases 686 a, 686 b have the openable and closableclaws 692 a, 692 b inserted into the opposite ends of the photosensitiveroll 12. At this time, the openable and closable claws 692 a, 692 b aredisplaced radially outwardly, causing the first and second chucks 690 a,690 b to hold the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12.

Then, the actuator 702 of the end drawing mechanism 634 is energized. Asshown in FIG. 13, when the motor 708 is energized, the ball screw 710rotates about its own axis, causing the nut 712 threaded over the ballscrew 710 to move the movable base 714 toward the photosensitive roll12. When the movable base 714 reaches a position where the gripper 700can grip the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14, the actuator 702is de-energized.

As shown in FIG. 65, the gripping fingers 716 a, 716 b of the gripper700 are closed and grip the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14.Then, the pallet 86 is lowered a predetermined distance away from theouter circumferential surface of the photosensitive roll 12, and themotor 708 of the actuator 702 is energized in a reversed direction,moving the movable base 714 in the direction indicated by the arrow Zaway from the photosensitive roll 12.

In the detecting assembly 704, an infrared radiation is being emittedfrom the infrared emitter 718 to the infrared detector 720. When thegripper 700 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow Z and the end14 a reaches the path of the infrared radiation, the detecting assembly704 detects the end 14 a. In this position, the pallet 86 is lifted agiven distance, and the actuator 702 is de-energized, and the gripper700 is actuated to open the gripping fingers 716 a, 716 b to release theend 14 a (see the two-dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 66).

As described above, the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 is drawnto a predetermined length by the end drawing mechanism 634 in the enddrawing station ST3. Therefore, even if the length of the end 14 avaries when it is fed in a free state, the length of the end 14 a canreliably be adjusted to a desired length before a joint tape 20 isapplied thereto.

The powder clutch 696 as a tension applying unit is connected to thefirst chuck 690 a which supports one end of the photosensitive roll 12when the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 is drawn by the enddrawing mechanism 634. Therefore, when the end 14 a is drawn out, thephotosensitive roll 12 is placed under a certain tension, reliablypreventing the photosensitive sheet 14 from becoming loose on the outercircumferential surface of the photosensitive roll 12.

After the end 14 a is drawn out to a given length, the opposite ends ofthe photosensitive roll 12 are released from the first and second chucks690 a, 690 b of the rotary support mechanism 632, and the motor 664 isreversed. The first and second balls crews 670, 682 rotate in differentdirections, displacing the first and second slide bases 686 a, 686 baway from each other to remove the first and second chucks 690 a, 690 bfrom the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12.

The pallet lifting and lowering unit 642 is actuated to lower the pallet86 with the photosensitive roll 12 placed thereon onto the upper feedconveyors 82 a, 82 b. The upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b are actuatedto deliver the pallet 86 from the end drawing station ST3 to theapplying station ST4. In the applying station ST4, the pallet 86 istemporarily stopped, and, as shown in FIG. 17, the cylinder 734 of thepallet lifting and lowering unit 730 is actuated. The vertically movablebase 738 is lifted to deliver the pallet 86 to a position above theupper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b.

The cylinder 740 of the roller presser 732 is actuated to lower therollers 744 to press the upper outer circumferential surface of thephotosensitive roll 12.

In synchronism with the operation of the pallet lifting and loweringunit 730, the cylinders 752, 760 of the pressing mechanism 636 areactuated. Since the first pressing member 756 is coupled to the cylinder752 and the second pressing member 764 is coupled to the cylinder 760,the first and second pressers 756, 764 are displaced toward each other,gripping the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 on its upper andlower surfaces.

As described above, with the end 14 a being gripped by the pressingmechanism 636, the applying mechanism 638 is actuated. As shown in FIG.18, the rotary actuator 814 of the applying means 800 is energized tocause the gear train 816 to rotate the suction roller 810 through acertain angle. The suction roller 810, which is connected to a vacuumsource, not shown, draws under vacuum a joint tape 20 against the outercircumferential surface of the suction roller 810. The joint tape 20 isattracted to the outer circumferential surface of the suction roller 810through a certain angle (see FIG. 67).

The torque motors 790 a, 790 b are energized to pay out the separablesheet 784 with joint tapes 20 thereon from the tape payout reel 786, andwind the separable sheet 784 from which joint tapes 20 are removed onthe separable sheet takeup reel 788.

Then, as shown in FIG. 68, the cylinder 806 is actuated to lift thesuction roller 810 to press the joint tape 20 attracted to the outercircumferential surface of the suction roller 810 against the end 14 aof the photosensitive sheet 14, and then the suction roller 810 releasesthe joint tape 20. The cylinder 824 of the squeezing means 802 isactuated to move the squeezing rollers 828 in unison with the arm 826toward the suction roller 810, after which the cylinder 820 is actuatedto lift the squeezing rollers 828 to press the joint tape 20 against theend 14 a (see FIG. 69).

Then, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the motor 772 is energized to rotatethe ball screw 776 to move the slide unit 780 along the support member770 transversely across the photosensitive roll 12 in the directionindicated by the arrow X. When the suction roller 810 runs from one edgeto the other of the end 14 a, the motor 772 is de-energized, and thesuction roller 810 is lowered by the cylinder 806 and then rotated bythe rotary actuator 814 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.70.

Thereafter, the suction roller 810 starts to draw the joint tape 20, andis lifted by the cylinder 806, after which the cutter 804 is actuated.The cylinder 830 of the cutter 804 is actuated to move the movable plate834 transversely across the joint tape 20, causing the cutting blade 836on the movable plate 834 along the cutter guide slot 818 in the suctionroller 810 thereby to cut off the joint tape 20 (see FIG. 71). After thecutting blade 836 is returned by the cylinder 830, the suction roller810 is lowered, and the slide unit 780 is further displaced by the motor772.

Then, as shown in FIG. 72, the squeezing rollers 828 are lowered by thecylinder 820 and spaced from the suction roller 810 by the cylinder 824.Thereafter, the slide unit 780 is returned to a position to startapplying the joint tape 20, by reversing the motor 772. The joint tape20 is now applied to the reverse side of the end 14 a over a lengthwhich is substantially half the width of the end 14 a. The cylinders752, 760 are actuated to displace the first and second pressing members756, 764 away from each other, releasing the end 14 a therefrom. Thepallet lifting and lowering unit 730 and the roller presser 732 areactuated to transfer the pallet 86 onto the upper feed conveyors 82 a,82 b.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cylinders 842 a, 842 b are actuated to lift thefeed rollers 844 a, 844 b to the same height as the upper feed conveyors82 a, 82 b, so that the pallet 86 can smoothly be transferred over thefeed rollers 844 a, 844 b onto the upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b.

In the applying station ST4, before the joint tape 20 is applied to theend 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14, the opposite surfaces of theend 14 a are supported by the first and second pressing members 756, 764of the pressing mechanism 636. Therefore, the end 14 a can be heldreliably in a constant position at all times even if the end 14 a may becurled or sagging in a different fashion depending on the width of thephotosensitive roll 12 and the thickness or type of the photosensitivesheet 14.

Thus, the joint tape 20 can accurately and efficiently be applied to theend 14 a at a desired position by the applying mechanism 638. In the enddrawing station ST3, since the end 14 a has been drawn in advance to aprescribed length, the joint tape 20 can accurately and efficiently beapplied to the end 14 a. Accordingly, the process of applying the jointtape 20 to the end 14 a can readily be automatized.

In the rotary support mechanism 632, the first and second chucks 690 a,690 b can be lifted and lowered by the moving unit 652. Therefore, evenif the photosensitive roll 12 placed on the pallet 18 has a differentdiameter, the photosensitive roll 12 can easily be handled by the rotarysupport mechanism 632. The rotary support mechanism 632 is thusapplicable to many types of photosensitive rolls 12 having differentwidths and diameters, and hence is highly versatile.

After the joint tape 20 is applied to the end 14 a of the photosensitivesheet 14, the photosensitive roll 12 is fed from the applying stationST4 to the light-shielding leader winding station ST6. In thelight-shielding leader assembling station ST5, as shown in FIG. 21, themotor 884 of the skirt member supply unit 862 is energized to cause thebelt and pulley means 886 to rotate the payout shaft 882 in thedirection indicated by the arrow. Therefore, the strip-like skirt member864 wound around the payout shaft 882 is paid out through the guiderollers 888 and the dancer roller 890 to the working mechanism 866.

Then, the leading end of the strip-like skirt member 864 is gripped bythe gripping means 942. As shown in FIG. 20, the rodless cylinder 930 isactuated to move the movable base 932 toward the joining region P2 a inthe direction indicated by the arrow K1. Then, the lower rodlesscylinder 900 of the working mechanism 866 is actuated to move the firstmovable base 902 in the direction indicated by the arrow K1. Therefore,the punch 918 and the die plate 920 which are supported on the supportframe 908 are positioned in a region where the strip-like skirt member864 is to be blanked (see FIG. 73).

The pressurizing cylinder 910 of the working mechanism 866 is actuatedto lower the vertically movable base 914 in unison with the rod 912. Thedie plate 920 and the punch 918 then produces a lozenge-shaped opening922 and tear-off perforations 924 a, 924 b in the strip-like skirtmember 864 (see FIG. 22).

Thereafter, the pressurizing cylinder 910 is actuated to lift the punch918, and the lower rodless cylinder 900 is actuated to move the firstmovable base 902 in the direction indicated by the arrow K2. The workingmechanism 866 is now placed in a given retracted position. The rodlesscylinder 980 of the skirt member feeding mechanism 870 is actuated tomove the skirt member suction box 984 from the joining region P2 a tothe cutting region P1 a in the direction indicated by the arrow K2.

When the skirt member suction box 984 is placed below the strip-likeskirt member 864 whose leading end is gripped by the gripping means 942in the cutting region P1 a, the strip-like skirt member 864 is drawn bythe skirt member suction box 984 and attracted against the suctionsurface (upper surface) of the skirt member suction box 984 under vacuumthrough suction holes 990. The cylinder 948 of the gripping means 942 isthen actuated to move the movable guide 950 upwardly in unison with therod 956 out of engagement with the strip-like skirt member 864.

After the strip-like skirt member 864 is released from the movable guide950 and the fixed guide 946, the rodless cylinder 930 is actuated tomove the movable base 932 in the direction indicated by the arrow K2 toplace the skirt member cutting mechanism 868 in a position to cut offthe strip-like skirt member 864. The cylinder 972 of the stopper means970 is actuated to move the engaging rod 974 upwardly. The engaging rod974 abuts against the movable base 932 for reliably preventing themovable base 932 from moving.

Then, the cylinder 948 of the gripping means 942 is actuated to causethe fixed guide 946 and the movable guide 950 to grip the cut rear endof the strip-like skirt member 864. The cylinder 960 of the grippingmeans 944 is actuated to lower the pressing guide 964 to cause the lowerpressing surface 968 to press the strip-like skirt member 864 againstthe skirt member suction box 984. The cylinder 934 of the skirt membercutting mechanism 868 is actuated to move the cutter blade 938 in unisonwith the rod 936 in the direction indicated by the arrow M1, thuscutting off the strip-like skirt member 864 substantially centrallyacross the opening 922 along a diagonal line thereof (see FIG. 74).After the strip-like skirt member 864 is cut off transversely, thecylinder 960 of the holding means 944 is actuated to lift the pressingguide 964 to release the strip-like skirt member 864. The cut-offstrip-like skirt member 864 remains attracted to the skirt membersuction box 984, and the rodless cylinder 980 is actuated to move themovable base 982 in the direction indicated by the arrow K1.

The skirt member suction box 984 which engages the movable base 982 isthus moved from the cutting region P1 a to the joining region P2 a whilebeing guided by the guide member 986 (see FIG. 75).

In the light-shielding sheet supply 1080 in the leader feeding stationST14, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the rolled strip-like light-shieldingsheet 1082 is loaded as it is supported on the support block 1088 of thecarriage 1084. The movable arms 1102 a, 1102 b which are spaced fromeach other are displaced toward each other by the cylinders 1106, 1108.Therefore, the drive shaft 1116 and the driven shaft 1118 on the movablearms 1102 a, 1102 b are fitted into the opposite ends of the core 1086of the rolled strip-like light-shielding sheet 1082.

When the lifting and lowering cylinder 1094 is actuated to move the rod1096 upwardly, the support plate 1092 is elevated along the verticalsurfaces of the walls 1090 by the joint 1098. The rolled strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 is now lifted off the carriage 1084 by themovable arms 1102 a, 1102 b mounted on the support plate 1092, with theopposite ends of the core 1086 being supported by the drive shaft 1116and the driven shaft 1118. The motor 1110 is energized to cause thechain and sprocket mechanism 1114 connected to the rotatable shaft 1112to rotate the drive shaft 1116, unwinding the rolled strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082. The unwound strip-like light-shielding sheet1082 is fed to the joining region P2 a by the guide rollers 1120.

In the joining region P2 a, as shown in FIG. 75, the strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 is attracted to the first and second sheetmember suction boxes 1040, 1042 of the sheet member spacing mechanism874, and the skirt member suction box 984 with the strip-like skirtmember 864 attracted thereto is disposed between the first and secondsheet member suction boxes 1040, 1042.

Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the lifting and lowering cylinder 1024 of thesheet member holding mechanism 1020 is actuated to lower the verticallymovable base 1028 in unison with the rod 1026. The presser plates 1034a, 1034 b mounted on the vertically movable base 1028 by the attachmentplates 1032 a, 1032 b press and hold the strip-like skirt member 864against the transversely opposite edges of the skirt member suction box984 (see FIG. 76).

Then, as shown in FIG. 27, the cylinder 1008 of the cutting mechanism872 is actuated to lower the cutter blade 1010 to a cutting position.The rodless cylinder 1002 is actuated to move the cutter blade 1010 inunison with the movable base 1004 in the direction indicated by thearrow K1. The cutter blade 1010 is guided by the slit 992 defined in theupper surface of the skirt member suction box 984 to move in thedirection indicated by the arrow K1, cutting off the strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 and the strip-like skirt member 864 together.

When the cutting process performed by the cutting mechanism 872 isfinished, the lifting and lowering cylinder 1024 of the sheet memberholding mechanism 1020 is actuated to lift the presser plates 1034 a,1034 b in unison with the vertically movable base 1028. Therefore, afterthe strip-like light-shielding sheet 1082 is released from the presserplates 1034 a, 1034 b, the first and second sheet member suction boxes1040, 1042 are moved away from each other (see FIG. 77). Specifically,as shown in FIG. 29, the first cylinder 1054 of the moving unit 1044 isactuated to move the rod 1054 a toward the first cylinder 1054, movingthe first sheet member suction box 1040 coupled to the rod 1054 a in thedirection indicated by the arrow N2 while being guided by the linearguides 1052 a, 1052 b.

The second cylinder 1056 is actuated to move the second sheet membersuction box 1042 coupled to the rod 1056 a in the direction indicated bythe arrow N1 while being guided by the linear guides 1052 a, 1052 b. Thefirst and second sheet member suction boxes 1040, 1042 are displacedaway from each other, moving the cut ends of the strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082, i.e., the light-shielding sheet 24,attracted thereto away from each other (see FIG. 77).

Then, as shown in FIG. 30, the lifting and lowering unit 1064 of thejoining mechanism 876 is actuated. The lifting and lowering cylinders1066, 1068 of the lifting and lowering unit 1064 are operated to liftthe first and second heater blocks 1060, 1062 in unison with thevertically movable bases 1070, 1072. The lifting and lowering cylinder1024 of the sheet member holding mechanism 1020 is actuated to lower thepresser plates 1034 a, 1034 b in unison with the vertically movable base1028.

Consequently, as shown in FIG. 78, the cut edges of the light-shieldingsheet 26 and the cut strip-like skirt member 864, i.e., thelight-shielding shrink films 24, are sandwiched by the first and secondheater blocks 1060, 1062 and the presser plates 1034 a, 1034 b. Afterelapse of a certain period of time, the light-shielding shrink films 24are applied to the opposite edges of the light-shielding sheet 26.

In the above joining process, the cutter blade 1010 of the cuttingmechanism 872 is placed in an upper position by the cylinder 1008, andthereafter moved in unison with the movable base 1004 in the directionindicated by the arrow K2 into a cutting start position.

The cut strip-like skirt member 864 whose width is set to twice thewidth of the light-shielding shrink films 24 is delivered. After alozenge-shaped opening 922 and tear-off perforations 924 a, 924 b areformed in the strip-like skirt member 864 by the working mechanism 866,the strip-like skirt member 864 is cut off transversely by the skirtmember cutting mechanism 868. In the joining region P2 a, the strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 is superposed on the strip-like skirt member864, and they are cut off together by the cutting mechanism 872. Then,the cut ends of the strip-like light-shielding sheet 1082 are spaced adistance from each other by the sheet member spacing mechanism 874,after which the transversely split strip-like skirt member 864, i.e.,the light-shielding shrink films 24, are applied to the cut ends by thejoining mechanism 876.

According to the above process, the amount of scrap produced is muchsmaller than the conventional process in which light-shielding shrinkfilms 24 are blanked from a sheet, resulting in an increased yield andhence an economical procedure.

Since the strip-like skirt member 864 is cut off to a certain length andthen transversely split into light-shielding shrink films 24, it is notnecessary to stack light-shielding shrink films 24 unlike theconventional process in which light-shielding shrink films 24 areblanked from a sheet. Accordingly, light-shielding shrink films 24 areprevented from sticking together, and can reliably be applied, one byone, to the end of the light-shielding sheet 26, allowing thelight-shielding leader 22 to be assembled efficiently and quickly.

In the joining region P2 a, the strip-like skirt member 864 cut off to acertain length and the strip-like light-shielding sheet 1082 aresuperposed one on the other and cut off together by the cuttingmechanism 872, after which only the cut ends of the strip-likelight-shielding sheet 1082 are spaced a distance from each other.Therefore, the strip-like skirt member 864, i.e., the light-shieldingshrink films 24, can be positioned highly accurately and efficientlywith respect to the end faces of the cut strip-like light-shieldingsheet 1082, i.e., the light-shielding sheet 26, thus producing ahigh-quality light-shielding leader 22.

The light-shielding shrink films 24 may have a certain orientation(directivity) due to its constituent materials. When the light-shieldingleader 22 is pulled to open the light-shielded photosensitive roll 30 asa packaged product, the light-shielding shrink films 24 may be tornapart from the perforations 924 a, 924 b in different fashions on leftand right portions of the light-shielded photosensitive roll 30. Forexample, one of the light-shielding shrink films 24 may be tornlinearly, whereas the other light-shielding shrink film 24 may be tornin a wavy shape.

Different working devices 4400, 4420, 4440 capable of equalizing theorientations of the light-shielding shrink films 24 applied to theopposite sides of the light-shielding sheet 26 will be described below.Those parts of the working devices 4400, 4420, 4440 which are identicalto those of the working device 860 are denoted by identical referencecharacters, and will not be described below.

As shown in FIG. 79, the working device 4400 has a slitter 4406 forlongitudinally slitting the strip-like skirt member 864 delivered from askirt member supply 4402 into two strip-like skirt members 4404 a, 4404b, and a reversing mechanism 4408 for reversing, i.e., turning upsidedown, the strip-like skirt member 4404 a.

The slitter 4406 comprises a disk-shaped lower blade 4410 and adisk-shaped upper blade 4412 which are rotatable about their own axes.The reversing mechanism 4408 has at least two guide bars 4414, 4416 forengaging the strip-like skirt member 4404 a to forcibly curve or bendthe strip-like skirt member 4404 a.

The working device 4400 thus constructed operates as follows: Thestrip-like skirt member 864 delivered from the skirt member supply 4402is longitudinally slit by the lower and upper blades 4410, 4412 as theyrotate, producing two strip-like skirt members 4404 a, 4404 b. Then, thestrip-like skirt member 4404 a is guided by the guide bars 4414, 4416and reversed, i.e., turned upside down, thereby and then guided totravel parallel to the strip-like skirt member 4404 b. Then, the twostrip-like skirt members 4404 a, 4404 b are blanked together by theworking mechanism strip-like skirt members 4404 a, 4404 b are.

Since the strip-like skirt member 4404 a is reversed, i.e., turnedupside down, by the reversing mechanism 4408 and then guided to travelparallel to the strip-like skirt member 4404 b, the orientations of thestrip-like skirt members 4404 a, 4404 b are equalized to each other.Consequently, when the packaged product is opened, the strip-like skirtmembers 4404 a, 4404 b are torn in the same fashion. Furthermore,because the two strip-like skirt members 4404 a, 4404 b are broughtparallel to each other and then blanked together, the strip-like skirtmembers 4404 a, 4404 b are positioned easily and highly accurately withrespect to each other.

As shown in FIG. 80, the working device 4420 comprises first and secondskirt member supplies 4426, 4428 for delivering two strip-like skirtmembers 4422, 4424, and a reversing mechanism 4430 for reversing, i.e.,turning upside down, the strip-like skirt member 4422 delivered from thefirst skirt member supply 4426.

The reversing mechanism 4430 comprises a plurality of guide rollers 888.The strip-like skirt members 4422, 4424 are supplied from respectiverolls in the first and second skirt member supplies 4426, 4428. When thestrip-like skirt members 4422, 4424 are brought parallel to each other,the strip-like skirt member 4422 has its lower surface contiguous to theouter surface of its roll, and the strip-like skirt member 4424 has itsupper surface contiguous to the inner surface of its roll.

The surfaces of the strip-like skirt members 4422, 4424 are thus madeopposite to each other by the simple arrangement, and their orientationsare easily equalized to each other. Since the strip-like skirt members4422, 4424 are worked on together by the working mechanism 866, thestrip-like skirt members 4422, 4424 are positioned with high accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 81, the working device 4440 comprises first and secondskirt member supplies 4446, 4448 for delivering two strip-like skirtmembers 4442, 4444, and a reversing mechanism 4450 for reversing, i.e.,turning upside down, the strip-like skirt member 4442 delivered from thefirst skirt member supply 4446.

The reversing mechanism 4450 is characterized by the direction in whichthe strip-like skirt member 4442 is paid out and the layout of guiderollers 888. The reversing mechanism 4450 delivers the strip-like skirtmember 4442, with its upper surface contiguous to the outer surface ofits roll, to the working mechanism 866. The strip-like skirt member 4444is delivered, with its upper surface contiguous to the inner surface ofits roll, to the working mechanism 866.

Therefore, the strip-like skirt members 4442, 4444 are delivered to theworking mechanism 866 while being parallel to each other with itssurfaces being opposite to each other. The strip-like skirt members4442, 4444 thus have their orientations equalized to each other, and arepositioned highly accurately with respect to each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the light-shielding shrink films 24 are applied totransversely opposite edges of the light-shielding sheet 26, and the endfastening tapes 28 are applied to the leading end of the light-shieldingsheet 26, thus producing the light-shielding leader 22.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, in the end tape supplying and applyingmechanism 878, the separable sheet 1178 with an array of end fasteningtapes 28 disposed thereon is paid out upon rotation of the tape payoutshaft 1182, and only the separable sheet 1178 is wound around theseparable sheet takeup shaft 1184 by the guide roller 1186 and theseparable sheet bending mechanism 1174. Between the guide rollers 1186,the side edge 1178 a of the strip-like separable sheet 1178 is bentupwardly by the first and second feed guides 1188, 1190 of the separablesheet bending mechanism 1174.

As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, therefore, the adhesive-free areas 1180 ofthe end fastening tapes 28 are exposed out from the side edge 1178 a ofthe strip-like separable sheet 1178. When the adhesive-free areas 1180of the end fastening tapes 28 are detected by the end tape detectingmeans 1246 (see FIG. 33), the separable sheet payout mechanism 1172 isinactivated, stopping the feeding of the separable sheet 1178.

Then, as shown in FIG. 37, the first and second lifting and loweringcylinders 1222, 1224 are actuated to move the rods 1222 a, 1224 aupwardly. The first and second vertically movable bases 1226, 1228 fixedto the rods 1222 a, 1224 a are lifted, and the first and second suctionheads 1192, 1194 are also lifted in unison with the first and secondvertically movable bases 1226, 1228. The suction pads 1238, 1240 mountedon the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 are brought intoabutment against the end fastening tapes 28 applied to the separablesheet 1178, and attract the end fastening tapes 28.

As shown in FIG. 82, the first and second cylinders 1242, 1244 areactuated to displace the rods 1242 a, 1244 a vertically downwardly. Thefirst and second pressing members 1196, 1198 fixed to the rods 1242 a,1244 a press the adhesive-free areas 1180 of two end fastening tapes 28projecting outwardly from the side edge 1178 a of the separable sheet1178 against the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194.

The first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 which are swingablysupported on the first and second vertically movable bases 1226, 1228 bythe pivot shafts 1230, 1232 have their distal ends pushed verticallydownwardly by the first and second pressing members 1196, 1198. Thefirst and second suction heads 1192, 1194 are swung downwardly againstthe resiliency of the springs 1234, 1236, separating the end fasteningtapes 28 whose adhesive-free areas 1180 are sandwiched between the firstand second suction heads 1192, 1194 and the first and second pressingmembers 1196, 1198, from the separable sheet 1178. The separated endfastening tapes 28 are then attracted to the first and second suctionheads 1192, 1194.

Then, as shown in FIG. 83, the first and second lifting and loweringcylinders 1222, 1224 are actuated to lower the first and second suctionheads 1192, 1194 with the end fastening tapes 28 attracted thereto, andthe first and second cylinders 1242, 1244 are actuated to lift the firstand second pressing members 1196, 1198. The first and second suctionheads 1192, 1194 with the end fastening tapes 28 attracted thereto aredelivered to a position to apply end tapes to the light-shielding sheet26.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, the servomotor 1202 of the movingmeans 1200 is energized to rotate the ball screw 1206 about its own axisto move the movable base 1212 along the guide rails 1210 a, 1210 b inthe direction indicated by the arrow S. Then, as shown in FIG. 84, theslide member 1220 moves along the guide member 1216 on the movable base1212 in the direction indicated by the arrow U1, placing the firstsuction head 1192, for example, in a position below the position toapply end tapes to the light-shielding sheet 26.

Then, the first and second lifting and lowering cylinder 1222 isactuated to lift the first suction head 1192 in unison with the firstvertically movable base 1226, pressing the end fastening tapes 28attracted to the first suction head 1192 against the light-shieldingsheet 26. The first suction head 1192 then release the end fasteningtapes 28, and is lowered, leaving the fastening tapes 28 applied to thelight-shielding sheet 26.

The separable sheet 1178 with the end fastening tapes 28 applied theretois paid out by the separable sheet payout mechanism 1172, and theseparable sheet bending mechanism 1174 is operated to forcibly bend theside edge 1178 a of the separable sheet 1178 upwardly, exposing theadhesive-free areas 1180 of the end fastening tapes 28 out of the sideedge 1178 a.

Then, the first and second lifting and lowering cylinders 1222, 1224 areactuated to lift the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194 toattract the end fastening tapes 28. The first and second cylinders 1242,1244 are actuated to cause the first and second pressing members 1196,1198 to press the exposed adhesive-free areas 1180 against the first andsecond suction heads 1192, 1194, separating the end fastening tapes 28from the separable sheet 1178.

Since the adhesive-free areas 1180 of the end fastening tapes 28 whichare exposed out from the side edge 1178 a of the strip-like separablesheet 1178 are directly pressed against the first and second suctionheads 1192, 1194 by the first and second pressing members 1196, 1198,the end fastening tapes 28 can reliably be removed from the separablesheet 1178. Therefore, the end fastening tapes 28 can reliably beattracted, one by one, to the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194,and can reliably and efficiently be supplied to the leading end of thelight-shielding sheet 26.

The adhesive-free areas 1180 of the end fastening tapes 28 which areexposed out from the side edge 1178 a of the strip-like separable sheet1178 whose side edge 1178 a is bent by the separable sheet bendingmechanism 1174 are automatically detected by the end tape detectingmeans 1246. Therefore, the end fastening tapes 28 can reliably be heldon the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194, and hence canefficiently be supplied without fail.

The separable sheet bending mechanism 1174 has the first and second feedguides 1188, 1190 disposed one on each side of the separable sheet 1178.Consequently, the separable sheet 1178 can reliably be bent with thesimple arrangement. The end fastening tapes 28 can efficiently beremoved by exposing the adhesive-free areas 1180 of the end fasteningtapes 28.

The end tape removing mechanism 1176 has the first and second suctionheads 1192, 1194 and the first and second pressing members 1196, 1198which can be positioned in confronting relation to each other across theseparable sheet 1178. When the first and second suction heads 1192, 1194and the first and second pressing members 1196, 1198 sandwich theadhesive-free areas 1180 of the end fastening tapes 28 and also when thefirst and second suction heads 1192, 1194 attract the end fasteningtapes 28, the end fastening tapes 28 can reliably and quickly beseparated from the separable sheet 1178. The end fastening tapes 28 canthus be easily supplied at a high speed.

The light-shielding leader 22 with the light-shielding shrink films 24applied to the opposite side edges of the light-shielding sheet 26 isfed to the light-shielding leader winding station ST6 by thelight-shielding leader feed mechanism 1302.

Specifically, the first feed unit 1336 will be described below. As shownin FIGS. 39 and 40, the motor 1344 is energized to rotate the first ballscrew 1340 about its own axis, causing the nut 1352 threaded over thefirst ball screw 1340 to move the first feed unit 1336 along the rails1334 a, 1334 b in the direction indicated by the arrow N2. When theclamp means 1360 a, 1360 b of the first feed unit 1336 are positioned atthe light-shielding leader 22 applied in the joining region P2 a, thecylinders 1368 a, 1368 b are actuated to turn the swing fingers 1364 a,1364 b about the pivot shafts 1366 a, 1366 b to lift their distal ends.

Therefore, when the first feed unit 1336 is moved to the light-shieldingsheet 26 of the light-shielding leader 22, the opposite edges of thelight-shielding sheet 26 are inserted between the fixed fingers 1362 a,1362 b and the swing fingers 1364 a, 1364 b (see the two-dot-and-dashlines in FIG. 41). Then, the cylinders 1368 a, 1368 b are actuated toclose the tip ends of the swing fingers 1364 a, 1364 b to cause theswing fingers 1364 a, 1364 b and the fixed fingers 1362 a, 1362 b togrip the opposite edges of the light-shielding sheet 26.

The motor 1344 is energized to rotate the first ball screw 1340 in theopposite direction, causing the nut 1352 to move the first feed unit1336 in the direction indicated by the arrow N1. The light-shieldingleader 22 gripped by the first clamp means 1360 a, 1360 b is fed in thedirection indicated by the arrow N1 to the light-shielding leaderwinding station ST6 (see FIG. 85).

In the light-shielding leader winding station ST6, the cylinders 1422,1424 are actuated to lower the light-shielding leader pressers 1418,1420 to press the opposite ends of the light-shielding leader 22 in thedirection indicated by the arrow V against the support surface of thebase 1380 (see FIG. 86). The rodless cylinder 1430 of thelight-shielding leader holding mechanism 1308 is actuated to cause themovable base 1432 to move the air chucks 1436, 1438 in the directionindicated by the arrow VI.

The air chucks 1436, 1438 grip the winding terminal end of thelight-shielding leader 22, and the clamp means 1360 a, 1360 b of thelight-shielding leader feed mechanism 1302 release the edge of thelight-shielding leader 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow N1.The clamp means 1360 a, 1360 b are lifted by the vertically movabletables 1358 a, 1358 b, and then moved in the direction indicated by thearrow N2 to the joining region P2 a by the motor 1344.

In the winding position P3 a, the light-shielding leader 22 is fed asdescribed above, and the pallet lifting and lowering device 1440 isactuated. The cylinder 1442 is actuated to cause the vertically movablebase 1444 to lift the pallet 86. When the photosensitive roll 12 isplaced in the winding position by the pallet 86, the applying mechanism1304 and the rotating mechanism 1306 are actuated.

In the applying mechanism 1304, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the firstcylinder 1392 of the actuator 1382 is actuated to move the movable base1394 in the direction indicated by the arrow V1. The cam rollers 1406mounted on the opposite ends of the cam plate 1404 engage the camsurfaces 1400 in the lower surfaces of the arms 1398. The arms 1398 arenow turned vertically upwardly by the cam surfaces 1400 and the camrollers 1406.

The movable bearing base 1384 fixed to the arms 1398 projects upwardlyfrom the lower surface of the base 1380 and is positioned between theend of the base 1380 and the photosensitive roll 12 (see FIG. 87). Theend 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 and the joint tape 20 are placedon the movable bearing base 1384.

The lifting and lowering cylinder 1386 is actuated to lower theattachment plate 1408 in unison with the rod 1386 a. The first pressermember 1388 presses the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 againstthe movable bearing base 1384, and then the cylinder 1414 is actuated toenable the second presser member 1390 to apply the joint tape 20 to theend of the light-shielding leader 22 (see FIG. 88).

The end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 and the light-shieldingleader 22 are now joined to each other by the joint tape 20. The liftingand lowering cylinder 1386 is actuated to move the first and secondpresser members 1388, 1390 upwardly, and the cylinders 1422, 1424 areactuated to lift the light-shielding leader pressers 1418, 1420,releasing the light-shielding leader 22 (see FIG. 89).

In the rotating mechanism 1306, as shown in FIG. 45, the motor 1464 ofthe actuator 1463 is energized to rotate the drive gear 1468 and theball screw 1470 in unison in a given direction. The rotation of thedriven gear 1472 meshing with the drive gear 1468 is transmitted throughthe rotatable shaft 1474 to the first gear 1476, and then from thesecond gear 1478 meshing with the first gear 1476 through the third gear1480 to the second ball screw 1482, rotating the second ball screw 1482about its own axis. Therefore, the first and second ball screws 1470,1482 rotate in different directions, respectively, causing the nuts 1488a, 1488 b to move the first and second slide units 1486 a, 1486 b towardeach other.

The first and second chucks 1490 a, 1490 b supported on the first andsecond slide units 1486 a, 1486 b are inserted respectively into theopposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12. The opposite ends of thephotosensitive roll 12 are held by the first and second chucks 1490 a,1490 b, respectively, and the pallet 86 is lowered a given distance awayfrom the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive roll 12.

After the photosensitive roll 12 is held by only the first and secondchucks 1490 a, 1490 b, the motor 1492 is energized to rotate the splinedshaft 1493, rotating the first and second chucks 1490 a, 1490 b whichare operatively coupled to the splined shaft 1493 by the belt and pulleymeans 1494 a, 1494 b.

In synchronism with the rotation of the first and second chucks 1490 a,1490 b, the rodless cylinder 1430 of the light-shielding leader holdingmechanism 1308 is actuated. Therefore, the rotation of the first andsecond chucks 1490 a, 1490 b rotates the photosensitive roll 12 to windthe light-shielding leader 22 around the photosensitive roll 12. Whilethe winding terminal end of the light-shielding leader 22 is beinggripped by the air chucks 1436, 1438 of the light-shielding leaderholding mechanism 1308, the air chucks 1436, 1438 move in the directionindicated by the arrow VI (see FIG. 90).

When the air chucks 1436, 1438 move nearly to an end of its stroke inthe direction indicated by the arrow V1, the rollers 1500 a through 1500c are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of thephotosensitive roll 12 by the actuators 1502 a, 1502 b. As shown in FIG.48, the rollers 1500 a, 1500 b are caused to project forward by thecylinders 1502 a, 1502 b. The roller 1500 c is moved verticallydownwardly by the first cylinder 1506 of the actuator 1504, andthereafter is caused to project forward by the second cylinder 1510. Therollers 1500 a through 1500 c now press the light-shielding leader 22wound around the photosensitive roll 12.

Before the process of winding the light-shielding leader 22 is finished,the air chucks 1436, 1438 of the light-shielding leader holdingmechanism 1308 release the light-shielding leader 22. The air chucks1436, 1438 are then retracted in the direction indicated by the arrow V2by the rodless cylinder 1430.

When the light-shielding leader 22 is wound around the photosensitiveroll 12 as described above, the hot air blowers 1496 a, 1496 b mountedon the first and second slide units 1486 a, 1486 b are positioned inconfronting relation to the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12by the cylinders 1498 a, 1498 b. The hot air blowers 1496 a, 1496 b thenapply hot air to the photosensitive roll 12, thermally shrinking thelight-shielding shrink films 24 of the light-shielding leader 22 overthe outer circumferential edges of the first flanged members 18 a (seeFIG. 91).

When the light-shielding leader 22 is wound around the photosensitiveroll 12 and the terminal end of the light-shielding leader 22 is fixedin position by the end fastening tapes 28, the process of winding thelight-shielding leader 22 is finished. Then, the pallet lifting andlowering device 1440 is actuated to lift the vertically movable base1444 to hold the pallet 86, and the motor 1464 of the rotating mechanism1306 is energized. The first and second slide units 1486 a, 1486 b aremoved away from each other, releasing the first and second chucks 1490a, 1490 b from the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12 (see FIG.92). The pallet 86 is lowered onto the upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b,and thereafter fed to the thermally fusing station ST7.

In the joining region P2 a, the light-shielding shrink films 24 areapplied to the opposite sides of the light-shielding sheet 26, and theend fastening tapes 28 are applied to the leading end of thelight-shielding sheet 26, thus producing the light-shielding leader 22.Thereafter, the light-shielding leader 22 is gripped by the clamp means1360 a, 1360 b of the light-shielding leader feed mechanism 1302, andfed to the winding position P3 a in the direction indicated by the arrowN1.

Since the light-shielding leader 22 is gripped by the clamp means 1360a, 1360 b, the light-shielding leader 22 is prevented from beingpositioned in error unlike the conventional process in which thelight-shielding leader 22 is fed to the winding position P3 a by suctionbelts or suction pads. Accordingly, the light-shielding leader 22 can bepositioned accurately, and the accuracy with which the light-shieldingleader 22 is applied to the end 14 a of the photosensitive sheet 14 ismaintained at a desired level.

The winding terminal end of the light-shielding leader 22 which ispositioned in the winding position P3 a by the light-shielding leaderfeed mechanism 1302 is gripped by the air chucks 1436, 1438 of thelight-shielding leader holding mechanism 1308. The air chucks 1436, 1438grip a substantially central area of the light-shielding leader 22 inthe transverse direction thereof indicated by the arrow N. When therotating mechanism 1306 rotates the photosensitive roll 12 to wind thelight-shielding leader 22 around the photosensitive roll 12, the airchucks 1436, 1348 grips the winding terminal end of the light-shieldingleader 22 and is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow V1 by therodless cylinder 1430.

When the light-shielding leader 22 is wound around the photosensitiveroll 12, the light-shielding leader 22 is reliably prevented from beingwarped and also from being shifted out of position in its turn.Therefore, the light-shielded photosensitive roll 30 of high quality canbe produced with a simple process and arrangement.

In the first embodiment, the apparatus has the rollers 1500 a through1500 c which press and hold the light-shielding leader 22 before the airchucks 1436, 1438 of the light-shielding leader holding mechanism 1308release the light-shielding leader 22. Therefore, even after the airchucks 1436, 1438 are released from the light-shielding leader 22, theouter circumferential surface of the light-shielding leader 22 isreliably held in position, allowing the light-shielding leader 22 to bewound highly reliably and accurately.

The photosensitive roll 12 with the light-shielding leader 22 woundtherearound is fed to the thermally fusing station ST7 by the pallet 86.In the thermally fusing station ST7, as shown in FIG. 50, the servomotor2066 of the lifting and lowering device 2062 is energized to cause thebelt and pulley means 2070 to rotate the ball screw 2072 threadedthrough the nut 2074. The vertically movable base 2076 with the nut 2074fixed thereto is moved vertically upwardly by the rotation of the ballscrew 2072.

The vertically movable plate 2082 is coupled to the vertically movablebase 2076 by the guide bars 2078. The vertically movable plate 2082 islifted in unison with the vertically movable base 2076, and feeds thepallet 86 vertically upwardly to a position above the upper feedconveyors 82 a, 82 b. When the photosensitive roll 12 on the pallet 86reaches a given thermally fusing position, the servomotor 2066 isde-energized.

In the thermally fusing mechanism 2060, as shown in FIG. 54, thecylinder 2130 of the moving mechanism 2129 is operated to place thefirst heating head 2144, for example, among the first through thirdheating heads 2144, 2146, 2148, depending on the outside diameter of thephotosensitive roll 12, in the thermally fusing position.

Specifically, the cylinder 2130 is actuated to pull in the rod 2132,moving the slide plate 2126 engaging the rod 2132 toward the engagingscrew 2142 b while being guided by the guide rails 2128 a, 2128 b. Whenthe end of the slide plate 2126 abuts against and is supported by theengaging screw 2142 b, the first heating head 2144 is positioned in thethermally fusing position (see FIG. 93).

As shown in FIG. 52, the servomotor 2092 is energized to rotate thedrive gear 2096 and the first ball screw 2098 in unison with each otherin a given direction. The driven gear 2100 meshing with the drive gear2096 is rotated, causing the rotatable shaft 2102 to rotate the firstgear 2104 and the second gear 2106 meshing therewith, thus rotating thethird gear 2108. The second ball screw 2110 coupled to the third gear2108 is rotated. The first and second ball screws 2098, 2110 are nowrotated in different directions.

The first and second bases 2114 a, 2114 b are moved toward each other bythe first and second nuts 2116 a, 2116 b. The first heating heads 2144mounted on the first and second movable support bases 2122 a, 2122 bsupported on the first and second bases 2114 a, 2114 b are moved togiven positions near the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12,after which the servomotor 2092 is de-energized.

When the cylinders 2118 a, 2118 b of the pressing mechanism 2117 areactuated, the first and second movable support bases 2122 a, 2122 bcoupled to the rods 2120 a, 2120 b are moved toward the opposite ends ofthe photosensitive roll 12 while being guided by the linear guides 2124a, 2124 b. The second annular protrusions 2150 b, for example, of thefirst heating heads 2144 mounted on the slide plates 2126 a, 2126 bpress given areas of the outer circumferential edges of the oppositeends of the photosensitive roll 12, i.e., the light-shielding shrinkfilms 24.

After the light-shielding shrink films 24 have been heated by the secondannular protrusions 2150 b, the cylinders 2118 a, 2118 b are actuated tomove the slide plates 2126 a, 2126 b away from each other. The secondannular protrusions 2150 b of the first heating heads 2144 are releasedfrom the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12, whereupon theprocess of thermally fusing the light-shielding shrink films 24 and thefirst flanged members 18 a is finished.

Then, the servomotor 2066 of the lifting and lowering device 2026 isreversed to rotate the ball screw 2072, lowering the vertically movableplate 2082 with the pallet 86 placed thereon. The pallet 86 is nowtransferred onto the upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b, and then fed tothe inspecting station ST9 by the upper feed conveyors 82 a, 82 b.

The first and second annular protrusions 2150 a, 2150 b are coaxiallydisposed on the first heating head 2144, and the outer second annularprotrusion 2150 b projects outwardly beyond the inner first annularprotrusion 2150 a (see FIG. 55). Therefore, when the light-shieldingshrink films 24 are thermally fused to the outer circumferential edgesof the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12 by the second annularprotrusions 2150 b, the first annular protrusions 2150 a do not contactthe opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12.

Since only the second annular protrusions 2150 b contact the outercircumferential edges of the opposite ends of the photosensitive roll12, the light-shielding shrink films 24 are effectively thermally fusedto the first flanged members 18 a. The second annular protrusions 2150 bare of such a dimension corresponding to the outside diameter of thephotosensitive roll 12 and can be pressed against the light-shieldingshrink films 24 under a constant pressure. Thus, only thelight-shielding shrink films 24 can effectively thermally fused to thefirst flanged members 18 a, reliably shielding the photosensitive roll12 against light.

It is only necessary to press the second annular protrusions 2150 bcontact the outer circumferential edges of the opposite ends of thephotosensitive roll 12, and it is not necessary to rotate thephotosensitive roll 12. As the conventional rotating mechanism forrotating the photosensitive roll 12 is not needed, the packaging sheetbonding device 2060 is relatively simple in overall structure, small insize, and economical to manufacture.

The first heating head 2144 has the first and second annular protrusions2150 a, 2150 b for handling two types of photosensitive rolls 12 havingdifferent outside diameters. Therefore, the first heating head 2144alone is capable of thermally fusing two types of photosensitive rolls12 having different outside diameters, so that the packaging sheetbonding device 2060 is further made relatively simple in overallstructure.

The first through third heating heads 2144, 2146, 2148 are mounted oneach of the slide plates 2126 a, 2126 b, and have the first annularprotrusions 2150 a, 2152 a, 2154 a and the second annular protrusions2150 b, 2152 b, 2154 b which have different diameters. Therefore, thefirst through third heating heads 2144, 2146, 2148 can handle six typesof photosensitive rolls 12 having different outside diameters, makingthe packaging sheet bonding device 2060 versatile and economical.

For positioning the second heating head 2146 in the thermally fusingposition, the cylinder 2136 of the stopper means 2134 is actuated toproject the engaging member 2140 forward, and the cylinder 2130 of themoving mechanism 2129 is actuated. Since the slide plates 2126 a, 2126 bare coupled to the rod 2132 extending from the cylinder 2130, the endfaces of the slide plates 2126 a, 2126 b near the first heating heads2144 abut against and are supported by the engaging member 2140, thuspositioning the second heating head 2146 in the thermally fusingposition (see FIG. 94).

For positioning the third heating head 2148 in the thermally fusingposition, the stopper means 2134 is actuated to retract the engagingmember 2140, and the cylinder 2130 is actuated. The end faces of theslide plates 2126 a, 2126 b near the first heating heads 2144 abutagainst and are supported by the engaging screw 2142 a, thus positioningthe third heating head 2148 in the thermally fusing position (see FIG.95).

In the present embodiment, the first through third heating heads 2144,2146, 2148 are employed. However, only the first heating head 2144 maybe used to thermally fuse two types of photosensitive rolls 12, or thefirst heating head 2144 may have three or more annular protrusionscoaxial with each other, so that only the first heating head 2144 may beused to thermally fuse three or more types of photosensitive rolls 12.

FIG. 96 shows in front elevation a slide plate 2180 which is differentin structure from the slide plate 2126.

The slide plate 2180 has a first heating head 2182, a second heatinghead 2184, and a third heating head 2186 mounted thereon. The firstheating head 2182 has a first annular protrusion 2188 a and a secondannular protrusion 2188 b which are coaxial with each other. The secondheading head 2184 has a single annular protrusion 2190. The thirdheating head 2186 has a first annular protrusion 2192 a, a secondannular protrusion 2192 b, and a third annular protrusion 2192 c whichare coaxial with each other.

The single annular protrusion 2190 on the second heating head 2184, andthe first annular protrusion 2192 a, the second annular protrusion 2192b, and the third annular protrusion 2192 c on the third heating head2186 have dimensions corresponding to the outside diameters of differentphotosensitive rolls 12. Therefore, the first heating head 2182, thesecond heating head 2184, and the third heating head 2186 mayselectively be used to handle six types of photosensitive rolls 12 ofdifferent outside diameters. The slide plate 2180 is thus effective tomake the packaging sheet bonding device simple in structure.

In the inspecting station ST9, after the light-shielded photosensitiveroll 30 is fed by the pallet 86 to a given position and stopped therein,the light-shielded state of the light-shielded photosensitive roll 30 isinspected. In the hard flanged member supplying station ST15, secondflanged members 32 are supplied by a supply mechanism, not shown, andfed to the flanged member feeding device 4066.

In the flanged member feeding device 4066, the cylinders 4078 a, 4078 bof the first and second horizontally feeding means 4070 a, 4070 b areactuated to lower the chucks 4082 a, 4082 b to hold the innercircumferential surfaces of the second flanged members 32 (see FIG. 58).The chucks 4082 a, 4082 b with the second flanged members 32 heldthereby are moved along the guide rails 4072 a, 4072 b in the directionindicated by the arrow F (see FIG. 58) by the belts 4076 a, 4076 boperated in circulation by the motors 4074 a, 4074 b. The chucks 4082 a,4082 b are temporarily placed between the swing arms 4108 of the firstand second transfer means 4090 a, 4090 b. The swing arms 4108 have beenangularly moved upwardly from the vertically downward position.

After the chucks 4082 a, 4082 b are lowered by the cylinders 4078 a,4078 b, the chuck 4082 a is moved to the first transfer means 4090 a,and the second chuck 4082 b is moved to the second transfer means 4090 b(see FIG. 97). The second flanged members 32 held by the chucks 4082 a,4082 b are transferred to the chucks 4112 of the respective swing arms4108. On the chucks 4112, the fingers 4116 a, 4116 b have been spacedfrom each other, as shown in FIG. 61. After the second flanged members32 are transferred to the chucks 4112, the fingers 4116 a, 4116 b aredisplaced toward each other, gripping the second flanged members 32.

One of the swing arms 4108 is displaced out of alignment with the otherswing arm 4108 with respect to the axis of the photosensitive roller 12because of the chucks 4082 a, 4082 b. One of the swing arms 4108 ispositionally adjusted with respect to the other swing arm 4108 by thecylinder 4090 a or 4090 b. The swing arms 4108 are then turned 90°downwardly by the cylinders 4104 to orient the axes of the secondflanged members 32 horizontally (see FIG. 98). The first and secondinserting units 4130 a, 4130 b of the hard flanged member insertingdevice 4060 are positioned outwardly of and coaxially with the secondflanged members 32. The inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b of the first andsecond inserting units 4130 a, 4130 b hold the inner circumferentialsurfaces of the second flanged members 32, and the swing arms 4108 areturned upwardly by the cylinders 4104 (see FIG. 99).

The photosensitive roll 12 is positioned by the centering device 4062 inaxial alignment with the axes of the second flanged members 32 held bythe inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b.

When the pallet 86 is stopped in a given position, the lifting andlowering device 4064 is actuated to lift the pallet 86.

As shown in FIG. 60, the cylinders 4194 a, 4194 b of the centeringdevice 4062 are actuated to cause the first centering rollers 4190 a,4190 b and the second centering rollers 4192 a, 4192 b to hold the outercircumferential surface of the photosensitive roll 12 in a centralposition.

The hard flanged member inserting device 4060 is actuated to enable theinserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b of the first and second inserting units4130 a, 4130 b to grip the second flanged members 32. As shown in FIG.58, the motor 4122 is energized to cause the gear train 4124 to rotatethe ball screw 4120. The nuts 4148 a, 4148 b threaded over the oppositethreads of the ball screw 4120 move the first and second inserting units4130 a, 4130 b toward each other upon rotation of the ball screw 4120.

The first and second inserting units 4130 a, 4130 b move toward theopposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12 held by the centering device4062 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, inserting the ends ofthe second flanged members 32 held by the inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 binto the first flanged members 18 a on the opposite ends of thephotosensitive roll 12 (see FIG. 100). At this time, the tapered tips 64of the second flanged members 32 are inserted along the innercircumferential surfaces 54 of the first flanged members 18 a. Thetapered tips 64 guide the ridges 68 of the second flanged members 32 toabut against the steps 60 of the first flanged members 18 a. The motor4122 is energized to move the first and second inserting units 4130 a,4130 b toward the photosensitive roll 12.

Since the first and second inserting units 4130 a, 4130 b operate in thesame manner as each other, operation of only the first inserting unit4130 a will be described below.

When the first inserting unit 4130 a moves in the direction indicated bythe arrow X1 with the ridges 68 engaging the step 60, the movable base4152 a moves toward the presser plate 4186 a in the direction indicatedby the arrow X1 and then stops, as shown in FIG. 100. Therefore, thepresser plate 4186 a is subject to the resilient forces of the spring4142 a, and the end of the presser rod 4166 a of the cylinder 4144 aabuts against the movable base 4152 a, and projects toward the presserplate 4168 a in the direction indicated by the arrow X2. Therefore, thedog 4170 a on the presser rod 4166 a turns on the sensor 4172 a,de-energizing the motor 4122.

Then, the motor 4136 a is energized to rotate the drive shaft 4174 a,causing the belt and pulley means 4176 a to rotate the rotatable shaft4178 a. The inserting head 4134 a coupled to the rotatable shaft 4178 aby the coupling 4180 a rotates in unison with the second flanged member32.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the second flanged member 32 rotated in thedirection indicated by the arrow A, the ridges 68 abutting against thestep 60 of the first flanged member 18 a are rotated in the directionindicated by the arrow A, and inserted into the grooves 56 while beingguided by the recesses 62. Upon alignment between the ridges 68 and thegrooves 56, the second flanged member 32 is moved toward the firstflanged member 18 a. As shown in FIG. 101, the presser rod 4166 a ismoved in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 by the cylinder 4144 a,and the dog 4170 a is released from the sensor 4172 a, turning off thesensor 4172 a.

Therefore, the alignment between the ridges 68 and the grooves 56 isdetected, and the inserting cylinder 4138 a is actuated to move thetubular presser 4154 a in unison with the rod 4150 a in the directionindicated by the arrow X1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 102, the tubularpresser 4154 a presses the distal end of the angle 4160 a, moving themovable base 4152 a to which the angle 4160 a is fixed along the guiderail 4164 a in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.

The second flanged member 32 whose inner circumferential surface is heldby the inserting head 4134 a supported on the movable base 4152 a is nowinserted into the first flanged member 18 a. The inserting head 4134 athen releases the second flanged member 32, and is released from thesecond flanged member 32 by the inserting cylinder 4138 a.

In the flanged structure 52, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the firstflanged member 18 a has the plural grooves 56 defined in the innercircumferential surface 54 thereof, and the step 60 of increaseddiameter disposed on the inner circumferential surface 54 at the inletends of the grooves 56, and the second flanged member 32 has the pluralridges 68 extending to a position where they project toward the taperedtip 64. When the second flanged member 32 is guided by the tapered tip64 and inserted into the first flanged member 18 a, the straight endfaces 68 a of the ridges 68 abut against and are supported by the step60 of the first flanged member 18 a.

When the second flanged member 32 is turned in the direction indicatedby the arrow A, the ridges 68 are brought into alignment with thegrooves 56, allowing the second flanged member 32 to be inserted intothe first flanged member 18 a. The ridges 68 and the grooves 56 can thusbe aligned with each other accurately and reliably, allowing the secondflanged member 32 to be inserted highly accurately into the firstflanged member 18 a.

The inner circumferential surface 54 of the first flanged member 18 ahas the recesses 62 defined therein which extend obliquely from the step60 toward the respective ends of the grooves 56 in the directionindicated by the arrow A in which the second flanged member 32 isrotated upon insertion into the first flanged member 18 a. When thesecond flanged member 32 is rotated in the direction indicated by thearrow A, the ridges 68 thereof are guided by the recesses 62 andinserted smoothly and reliably from the step 60 into the grooves 56, andare effectively prevented from moving out of the grooves 56. Therefore,the second flanged member 32 can efficiently be inserted into the firstflanged member 18 a.

On the second flanged member 32, the ridges 68 extend from the straightbarrel 66 onto the tapered tip 64. The ridges 68 are thus elongate inthe axial direction of the second flanged member 32. When the ridges 68are inserted into the grooves 56, therefore, the second flanged member32 can firmly and reliably be retained in the first flanged member 18 a.

In the hard flanged member inserting device 4060, the insertingcylinders 4138 a, 4138 b and the inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b arerelatively movably coupled to each other by the floating couplers 4140a, 4140 b. When the second flanged member 32 is pressed toward the firstflanged member 18 a only by the cylinders 4144 a, 4144 b, the secondflanged member 32 is rotated. When the ridges 68 are aligned with thegrooves 56 and the second flanged member 32 is moved into the firstflanged member 18 a, the detectors 4146 a, 4146 b are actuated.

The torque applied to rotate the second flanged member 32 is kept at aconstant level under the pressure from the cylinders 4144 a, 4144 b.Therefore, the ridges 68 can reliably be inserted into the grooves 56and are prevented from moving out of the grooves 56.

At the time the detectors 4146 a, 4146 b detect when the ridges 68 arealigned with the grooves 56 and the second flanged member 32 is movedinto the first flanged member 18 a, the inserting cylinders 4138 a, 4138b are actuated. The tubular pressers 4154 a, 4154 b press the distalends of the angles 4160 a, 4160 b in the direction indicated by thearrow X1, inserting the second flanged members 32 gripped by theinserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b reliably into the first flanged members18 a.

It is thus possible with a simple process and arrangement to bring theridges 68 into alignment with the grooves 56 reliably and easily and toinsert the second flanged members 32 highly accurately and efficientlyinto the first flanged members 18 a.

FIG. 103 shows in exploded perspective another flanged structure 4390.Those parts of the flanged structure 4390 which are identical to theflanged structure 52 are denoted by identical reference characters, andwill not be described in detail below.

The flanged structure 4390 has a second flanged member 4392 having aplurality of angularly spaced, axially extending ridges 4394 disposed onthe straight barrel 66 and projecting radially outwardly, the ridges4394 having distal ends spaced from the end of the tapered tip 64 towardthe flange 70 by a distance Ha.

The second flanged member 4392 is inserted into the first flanged member18 a. Specifically, the second flanged member 4392 is guided by thetapered tip 64 until the end of the straight barrel 66 thereof reachesthe inner circumferential surface 54 of the first flanged member 18 a,after which the ridges 4394 abut against and are supported by the step60. Then, the second flanged member 4392 is rotated in the directionindicated by the arrow A until the ridges 4394 are aligned with thegrooves 56, whereupon the second flanged member 4392 is inserted intothe first flanged member 18 a.

With the flanged structure 4390, since the tapered tip 64 guides thesecond flanged member 4392 until the end of the straight barrel 66 isinserted into the first flanged member 18 a, the second flanged member4392 and the first flanged member 18 a are positioned accuratelyconcentrically with each other. When the second flanged member 4392 isrotated after the ridges 4394 abut against the step 60, the ridges 4394are aligned with the grooves 56, allowing the second flanged member 4392to be inserted into highly accurately and reliably the first flangedmember 18 a.

FIG. 104 shows first and second inserting units 4502 a, 4502 b ofanother hard flanged member inserting device 4500. Those parts of thehard flanged member inserting device 4500 which are identical to thehard flanged member inserting device 4060 are denoted by identicalreference characters, and will not be described in detail below.

The first and second inserting units 4502 a, 4502 b have insertingcylinders 4138 a, 4138 b from which rods 4150 a, 4150 b extend, andpowder clutches 4504 a, 4504 b coupled to the respective rods 4150 a,4150 b by movable bases 4152 a, 4152 b. Inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 bare directly coupled to the powder clutches 4504 a, 4504 b by couplings4180 a, 4180 b.

The hard flanged member inserting device 4500 operates as follows: Thefirst and second inserting units 4502 a, 4502 b are moved to therespective opposite ends of the photosensitive roll 12, and the secondflanged members 32 held by the inserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b are placedin positions abutting against the first flanged members 18 a.Thereafter, the motors 4136 a, 4136 b are energized to rotate theinserting heads 4134 a, 4134 b. When the ridges 68 of the second flangedmembers 32 are aligned with the grooves 56 of the first flanged members18 a, the powder clutches 4504 a, 4504 b slip, keeping the ridges 68engaging in the grooves 56. The inserting cylinders 4138 a, 4138 b areactuated to insert the second flanged members 32 into the first flangedmembers 18 a.

With the hard flanged member inserting device 4500 thus arranged, thesecond flanged members 32, 4392 of the flanged structures 52, 4390 areused to insert the ridges 68, 4394 reliably into the grooves 56. Theprocess of inserting the second flanged members into the first flangedmembers is made highly efficient.

Operation of a data transfer system in the automatic packaging system 10will be described below.

When a pallet 86 is fed to the transfer station ST1, the programmablecontroller PLC1 reads identification data stored in the memory medium138 on the pallet 86 through the data reader 142, and specifies one ofthe data areas M1 through M30 which corresponds to the identificationdata. In FIG. 8, because the identification data is “3”, theprogrammable controller PLC1 specifies the data area M3.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when a photosensitive roll 12 is fed into thedark chamber 11 and placed on the pallet 86 in the transfer station ST1,the programmable controller PLC1 reads the specification data of thetransferred photosensitive roll 12 from the programmable controller, notshown, which controls an upstream working station, in response to adetected signal indicative of the photosensitive roll 12 from theworkpiece detector 144, and stores the read specification data in one ofthe data areas M1 through M30 (the data area M3 in FIG. 8) in thetracking data memory 178.

Similarly, when a photosensitive roll 12 is transferred onto a nextpallet 86 in the transfer station ST1, the programmable controller PLC1stores the specification data of the photosensitive roll 12 in one ofthe data areas M1 through M30 which is specified by the identificationdata of the pallet 86. In this manner, the tracking data memory 178 ofthe programmable controller PLC1 stores the specification data ofphotosensitive rolls 12 in association with the identification data(pallet number data) of pallets 86. Unless the photosensitive rolls 12are removed from the pallets 86, the specification data of thephotosensitive rolls 12 or the light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30correspond to and are recognized based on the identification data of thepallets 86.

When the pallet 86 is fed to the next first flanged member insertingstation ST2, the programmable controller PLC2 which controls the firstflanged member inserting station ST2 reads identification data from thememory medium 138 on the fed pallet 86 through the data reader 142 inresponse to a detected signal indicative of the photosensitive roll 12from the workpiece detector 144. The programmable controller PLC2 thenreads the specification data of the photosensitive roll 12 correspondingto the read identification data from the tracking data memory 178 of theprogrammable controller PLC1, and stores the read specification data inthe tracking data memory 178 of the programmable controller PLC2. Forexample, in FIG. 8, the programmable controller PLC2 reads thespecification data of the photosensitive roll 12 stored in the data areaM1, and stores the read specification data in the tracking data memory178 of its own. The programmable controller PLC2 controls the controldevices of the first flanged member inserting station ST2 according tothe stored specification data to insert the first flanges 18 a, 18 b, 18c into the photosensitive roll 12.

Likewise, the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC6 read theidentification data of fed pallets 86, reads only the specification dataof the photosensitive rolls 12 or the light-shielded photosensitiverolls 30 corresponding to the read identification data from the trackingdata memory 178 of the programmable controller PLC1, and controlsdesired operations according to the read specification data.

Unless the pallet 86 and the photosensitive roll 12 or thelight-shielded photosensitive roll 30 are separated from each other,when each of the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC6 reads theidentification data of the pallet 86, it reads, with high accuracy, thespecification data of the photosensitive roll 12 or the light-shieldedphotosensitive roll 30 which is identified by the read identificationdata from the tracking data memory 178 of the programmable controllerPLC1, and can control a desired operation according to the readspecification data.

The identification data stored in the memory medium 138 are only read bythe data reader 142, and are not repeatedly written. Therefore, theidentification data are stably stored in the memory medium 138 over along period of time. Since the data stored in the memory medium 138 areidentification data only, the memory medium 138 may store a plurality ofidentification data for backup against accidental data destruction.

The specification data stored in the tracking data memory 178 includework attribute data managing processed states of photosensitive rolls 12or light-shielded photosensitive rolls 30 on the pallets 86. Themanagement control by the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC6 canbe performed more reliably using the work attribute data.

Specifically, each of the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC6sets a working start flag as work attribute data when the workpiece inthe working station starts being processed or worked on, sets aworkpiece-present flag when the workpiece detector 144 detects aworkpiece in the working station, sets a work completion flag when theoperation in the working station is completed, and sets a failure flagwhen the operation in the working station is a failure.

With the work attribute data thus established, if a desired operation ona workpiece in the working station fails due to some trouble, then sincea work completion flag is not set, when the workpiece is fed to the nextworking station, the programmable controller in the next working stationrecognizes that the desired operation has not been performed on theworkpiece in the preceding working station by confirming the workattribute data. The programmable controller issues a warning indicativeto the workpiece trouble to the operator, and suspends the operation onthe workpiece.

If the operator forgets to remove the workpiece though a failure occursdue to some trouble in the preceding working station, then theprogrammable controller in the next station can detect that theproblematic workpiece is fed because the failure flag has been set andthe workpiece detector 44 detects the workpiece and theworkpiece-present flag has been set.

Therefore, since each of the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC6reads the specification data and performs the operation only when itconfirms that there is a photosensitive roll 12 or a light-shieldedphotosensitive roll 30 present in the working station, the workpiece isnot processed based on different specification data, and any operationis prevented from being performed in the working station when there isno workpiece in the working station. If predetermined code data is setas trouble code data in the tracking data memory 178 when there is notworkpiece, then each of the programmable controllers PLC1 through PLC6can confirm why a photosensitive roll 12 or a light-shieldedphotosensitive roll 30 is not carried on the pallet 86.

In the present embodiment, the photosensitive roll 12 has been describedas the rolled article. However, the principles of the present inventionare also applicable to various rolled articles in the form of a roll ofa sheet or a roll of an elongate film-like material.

With the method of and apparatus for processing a rolled articleaccording to the present invention, since the end of the rolled articleis drawn to a prescribed length and then tape members are applied to thedrawn end, the end can be adjusted to the prescribed length at alltimes, and the tape members can be applied to the end efficiently.

When the tape members are applied, both surfaces of the end of therolled article are supported by a set of presser members. Even if theend of the rolled article is curled in different states, therefore, thetape members can be applied accurately to the end of the rolled articleat desired positions thereon. It is thus possible to apply the tapemembers highly accurately and efficiently to the end of the rolledarticle with a simple process and arrangement.

According to the present invention, since the end of a packaging sheetis gripped and the packaging sheet is fed, the packaging sheet can bepositioned more accurately than with the conventional structure in whichthe packaging sheet is fed by suction belts or the like. Therefore, thepackaging sheet can be applied accurately to the end of the rolledarticle.

When the rolled article is rotated, the winding terminal end of thepackaging sheet is held in position. Thus, when the packaging sheet iswound around the rolled article, the packaging sheet is prevented frombeing warped, and can be wound highly accurately around the rolledarticle. Therefore, the packaging sheet can be wound efficiently andhighly accurately around the rolled article with a simple process andarrangement.

According to the present invention, furthermore, a side edge of theseparable sheet is bent to expose adhesive-free areas of end tapes outof the side edge of the separable sheet, and the exposed adhesive-freeareas are held. Therefore, the end tapes can reliably be removed fromthe separable sheet. Accordingly, each end tape can efficiently andquickly be supplied to the end of the rolled article with a simpleprocess and arrangement.

According to the present invention, furthermore, a strip-like skirtmember is blanked and then cut off transversely, producing skirtmembers, and at least a sheet member is also cut off, with the cut endsare spaced from each other by a given distance. The skit members arejoined to the cut ends with transverse portions thereof being exposedout. The amount of scrap produced when the skirt members are formed ismuch smaller than if skirt members were blanked from a sheet, thusresulting in an increased yield, and the produced skirt members areprevented from sticking together. Thus, the skirt members can reliablyand efficiently be applied to the sheet member with a simple process andarrangement.

According to the present invention, furthermore, a plurality of heatingheads with one or more annular protrusions are selectively useddepending on the diameter of the rolled article. No rotating mechanismfor rotating the rolled article is required, and the packaged productcan be pressed under a constant pressure by the annular protrusions.Therefore, the packaging apparatus is effectively simplified instructure, and only the packaging region can reliably be thermallyfused, so that the light-shielding capability of the rolled article isincreased.

According to the present invention, furthermore, a single heating headwith two or more annular protrusions having different diameterscorresponding to the diameters of rolled articles is used to handledifferent rolled articles. The packaging apparatus is thus simplified instructure and economical.

According to the present invention, furthermore, the first flangedmember has grooves and a step on its inner circumferential surface, andthe second flanged member has ridges on its inner circumferentialsurface. While the ridges of the second flanged member abut against andare supported by the step of the first flanged member, the secondflanged member is rotated to bring the ridges into accurate and reliablealignment with the groove, allowing the second flanged member to beinserted highly accurately and efficiently into the first flangedmember.

With the method of and apparatus for mounting a flanged structure for arolled article according to the present invention, since the secondflanged member is rotated while being pressed against the first flangedmember only under the bias of a resilient member, the torque to rotatethe second flanged member is maintained at a constant level, allowingthe ridges to be aligned reliably with the grooves. After it isautomatically detected that the grooves and the ridges are aligned witheach other and the second flanged member is moved to the first flangedmember, the inserting actuator is operated to insert the second flangedmember into the first flanged member.

Thus, it is possible to align the ridges and the grooves with each otherand insert the second flanged member highly accurately and efficientlyinto the first flanged member with a simple process and arrangement.

According to the present invention, furthermore, when the rolled articleis transferred onto the pallet and fed between a plurality of workingstations for working on the rolled article, the identification data ofthe pallet is read from the pallet, and the specification data of therolled article corresponding to the identification data is read to workon the rolled workpiece. Therefore, the rolled article fed with thepallet can be worked on highly accurately based on the specificationdata which is clearly associated with the identification data of thepallet.

Since the identification data memory means on the pallet only stores andreads the identification data, the identification data memory means doesnot suffer a reduction in its memory capacity, and can read the storedidentification data stably over a long period of time for stablyobtaining appropriate specification data of the rolled article.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen shown and described in detail, it should be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thescope of the appended claims.

1. A rolled article comprising: a first flanged member mounted on a endof a roll; and a second flanged member inserted in said first flangedmember; said first flanged member having a plurality of angularlyspaced, axially extending grooves defined in an inner circumferentialsurface thereof, and a step of increased diameter disposed on said innercircumferential surface at an end into which said second flanged memberis inserted; said second flanged member having, on an outercircumferential surface thereof, a tapered tip which is progressivelysmaller in diameter toward a tip end thereof in a direction in whichsaid second flanged member is inserted into said first flanged member,and a straight barrel contiguous from a larger-diameter end of saidtapered tip; said second flanged member having, a plurality of angularlyspaced, axially extending ridges extending axially along said straightbarrel in alignment with said grooves, said ridges being spaced axiallyfrom the smaller-diameter tip end of said tapered tip toward thestraight barrel by a predetermined distance, and extending radiallyoutwardly to respective radial positions corresponding to the diameterof said step of said first flanged member.